Curtain call for Chai Wan Laundry after decades of safeguarding
In a quiet corner of Chai Wan Laundry, a faded poster reads ‘Quality First’ — a simple slogan that reflects the team’s unwavering commitment over the past five decades. Opened in 1972, Chai Wan Laundry has been a pioneer in the Hospital Authority’s (HA) laundry services to introduce automated system. Having gone through outbreaks of SARS, swine flu, and the COVID-19 epidemic, Chai Wan Laundry is now preparing to close its final chapter with service transferred to the HA Supporting Services Centre. Karen Lee, former Senior Manager at Chai Wan Laundry and now serves as HA Senior Executive Officer (Laundry Services) recalls, “whenever there was a public health crisis, our team volunteered to work overtime to ensure clean linen was delivered on time – safeguarding both healthcare workers and patients.”
Overnight disinfection of contaminated linen at high temperatures
The laundry opened under the Department of Health before coming under HA’s management in 1991 and later being managed by Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital (PYNEH), evolving over the years from manual to largely automated operations. A major fire destroyed 70% of its equipment in 2008 and led to facilities upgrade. In the following year, the swine flu outbreak occurred. The laundry was tasked with disinfecting contaminated linen and our colleagues stepped up to the task. ”Our facilities had not fully recovered from the fire. The first batch of contaminated linen arrived in the evening, and the team worked overnight in full personal protective equipment, operating high-temperature wash cycles to ensure everything was ready by the following morning,” says Karen. “Everyone embraces challenges fearlessly and rises to meet difficulties.”Chai Wan Laundry once again rose to the challenge when Shum Wan Laundry was closed down in 2015 due to an outbreak of the severe fungal infection mucormycosis, taking on the sudden surge in laundry work that followed. “Colleagues from both day and night shifts worked extended hours. The day shift started at 4am instead of 7am, and the night shift was extended from 10pm to 2am. Colleagues were exhausted that their eyes were red with fatigue.” Karen remembers. “No one complained. We were like a big family, working together to get the job done.”
At its peak, Chai Wan Laundry served eight hospitals and handled an average of 8,000 tonnes of linen a year. Day in and day out, staff washed, ironed, and folded linen in synchronised harmony. There were lighthearted moments amid the routine, according to Laundry Manager John Chow. “Someone once found a HK$500 banknote beside the conveyor belt, then another, and another. Eventually, we learnt a colleague had accidentally put totalling HK$14,000 in the wash after forgetting the cash was in his working clothes pocket.” Other hidden treasures discovered in pockets include toys, dentures, and diamond necklaces.
Embracing technology to enhance efficiency
Over the decades, Chai Wan Laundry has led the way in adopting new technologies. The team was the first to introduce innovative technologies, enhancing efficiency and quality. For instance, the tunnel finishing system was capable of automated drying of working clothes. The automatic radio frequency identification (RFID) garment sorting system helped categorise linen systematically. The team’s commitment to excellence earned them the HA Outstanding Team Award twice. The team also collaborated closely with Hong Kong East Cluster to improve the design of ward curtains and blankets. Standardised working clothes were designed for medical staff across various professions to replace individual uniforms. To align with the new technologies, quick-drying fabrics were also adopted – making them easier to clean, faster to dry, and better suited to clinical use. Subsequently, the HA promoted the concept of standardised working clothes in different hospital clusters. PYNEH Senior Hospital Administrator (Chai Wan Laundry and Support Services) Stephen Li reflects, “people often think of laundry work as tough, sweaty, and outdated. But if you put your heart into it, you will see this job offers many opportunities to grow. It is a profession that deserves respect.” After countless days and nights of service, Chai Wan Laundry is completing its mission. But the team’s spirit will continue to live on in HA’s laundry services.