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Following an announcement of plans to restructure lab services, Health Sciences Association of British Columbia (HSABC/NUPGE) is asking members to monitor developments in their workplace.
Vancouver (24 July 2015) — A massive redesign of laboratory services in British Columbia's Interior Health Authority (IHA) has been announced. Changes over the next two years include consolidation of all services to the Kelowna General Hospital lab and the expanded use of Point of Care (POC) testing. The changes are expected to affect 23 sites across IHA.
Restructuring often code for funding cuts
Labour relations experts from Health Sciences Association of British Columbia (HSABC/NUPGE) met with IHA to discuss the changes and the potential consequences for HSABC/NUPGE members working in the labs. IHA claims the planned changes in service will not lead to job loss for technologists across the Health Authority.
HSABC/NUPGE notes that restructuring in health care has usually been used to describe controlling health care spending that ultimately leads to reduced care for patients. The union promises to monitor the process closely.
Members asked to keep union up-to-date on developments
HSABC/NUPGE has set up a dedicated email address for its members to provide updates on developments in IHA lab structures. Members are asked to notify the union of any changes they experience or hear about, including changes in job duties, decreases in available overtime, unfilled vacancies, and etc. Members should send their updates to HSABC/NUPGE through ihalab@hsabc.org.
IHA to meet with staff
From the meeting it was learned that the IHA leadership group intends to travel throughout the Health Authority during the fall to meet with staff. The intended outcome of these meetings is to hear of any concerns from staff at the work level related to the proposed changes.
HSABC/NUPGE and its members have an established reputation of working cooperatively with health authorities to improve practices and processes that ensure innovative approaches to address the needs of patients. HSABC/NUPGE plans to work in this spirit with IHA, but will ensure that members and patient care are protected through the restructuring.
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The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) is one of Canada's largest labour organizations with over 360,000 members. Our mission is to improve the lives of working families and to build a stronger Canada by ensuring our common wealth is used for the common good. NUPGE