Unused laundry equipment at West Coast General Hospital is being moved to Cumberland but the hospital wasn’t left empty-handed.
Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District chairman Glenn Wong confirmed the development on Wednesday.
“VIHA was clear – there’s no way West Coast General Hospital will ever have laundry services again,” Wong said.
One industrial size washer and dryer set was taken from the hospital and is being sent to the regional laundry facility in Cumberland.
In return, the hospital is getting a blanket warmer and an equipment sterilizing machine, Wong said.
There is no job loss involved with the move, he added.
The items were from a list compiled by the regional hospital district’s health advisory committee.
The washer and dryer hadn’t been used in 11 years, ever since the Vancouver Island Health Authority centralized its laundry services.
The set was brand new when it was first purchased in 2000, but is now worth $10,000 after depreciation.
reporter@albernivalleynews.com