Interior Health Authority announces plans to restructure lab services

A massive redesign of laboratory services in Interior Health Authority was announced this month by the health authority. 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.

This week, a team of HSA labour relations experts met with the employer (IHA) to discuss the changes and the potential consequences for HSA members working in the labs. IHA claims the planned changes in service will not lead to job loss for technologists across the Health Authority.

However, as restructuring in health care has come to be code for controlling spending that ultimately leads to reduced care for patients, HSA will be monitoring developments closely.

 Any changes you experience or hear about, including changes in job duties, decreases in available overtime, unfilled vacancies, etc. should be reported to HSA through @email

HSA understands from the meeting this week that the IHA leadership group intends to travel throughout the Health Authority this fall to meet with all the staff.  The intended outcome of these meetings is to hear of any concerns from staff at the work-level related to the proposed changes. HSA labour relations staff will attend all these meetings to support its members.

HSA 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. HSA plans to work in this spirit with IHA, but will ensure that HSA members and patient care are protected through the restructuring.