The executive director of pathology at the Provincial Health Services Authority swore two months ago that a portion of the microbiology lab at Burnaby Hospital would remain open.

But now, that tune appears to have changed.

Edward Ratnaraja says after discussion with clinicians and doctors, the decision was made to move all, not just part of the lab, to Royal Columbian Hospital.

And he says this is just the first phase of three to amalgamate all Fraser Health microbiology labs.

Phase two is moving the microbiology work again from Abbotsford Hospital to Surrey Memorial and the final phase sees all microbiology work being done in one hub hospital, which would be the Surrey Memorial tower.

Ratnaraja says they intend to have all the labs integrated within two years.

A spokesman with the Health Sciences Association, a union that represents lab technicians, says they understand the changes ahead but aren't thirlled with how they played out.

Reid Johnson says they were told the integration was going ahead only after it was already a done deal.

Our initial concern was the lack of notice and the failure to consult the people who actually do the specialized work to know what's best to do for the patient care.

Johnston says members understand efficiencies need to be made, and he is optimistic that moving forward, greater consultation will take place.

See the article here:
Fraser Health moves closer to merging microbiolgy labs