WEST COAST DISTRICT HEALTH BOARD
PRESS RELEASE – Embargo until midday – December 19, 2012
19 December 2012
West Coast DHB to permanently close its laundry
The West Coast District Health Board confirmed today that it will close its laundry service at Grey Base Hospital from
Tuesday, 22 January 2013.
Chief Executive David Meates said the difficult decision was made after taking into account feedback from staff to a
consultation paper on laundry options.
“We understand that closing the laundry permanently will affect 20 of our staff and a number of commercial customers,
largely in the hospitality sector” Mr Meates said.
“The escalating costs of bringing Grey Base Hospital buildings up to seismic standard, alongside a proposal by Health
Benefits Limited to consolidate laundry services for all South Island DHBs, mean that it is neither affordable, nor
responsible, to invest in new laundry services locally.
“We have met with our affected staff collectively to inform them of this decision, and today we will meet each staff
member individually to discuss options available to them. During the coming week we will work closely with affected
staff to support them in any way we can.
“We have also contacted our commercial customers to advise them of our decision. We will be back in touch with them in
the New Year,” says David Meates.
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