Large Kelowna employer makes layoffs

Kelowna firm cuts staff

Photo: QHR Technologies

A large Kelowna company is laying off employees after several years of continued growth.

QHR Technologies has laid off a significant number of employees but has not provided an exact number or where the job losses have occurred.

Company spokesperson Ryan Wood says they cut under 10% of employees.

"Overall it was a relatively small number when considering our total national employees of 480," he said.

QHR Technologies, an electronic medical records platform, was purchased by Loblaws through its subsidiary, Shoppers Drug Mart Inc. back in 2016 for $170 million.

"Over the past 5 years, QHR has grown by over 70%. Growth is not linear, and it is normal for businesses to expand and contract, especially for a company of our size," said company president Mike Checkley.

Checkley says QHR Technologies is one of the country's largest providers of electronic medical record systems, with more than 20,000 physicians on the platform.

"This week, QHR went through a restructuring impacting roles within some of our teams. Although this impacted a relatively small number compared to QHR's 480-person team nationally, we do not take these decisions lightly," Checkley said.

The layoffs are not expected to impact customer care and Checkley says he hopes to expand the company's software capabilities for the physicians and clinics who rely on it.

"It is our responsibility to keep the doctors connected to their patient records so they can make the best decisions possible for their patients," Checkley says.