Lab physicians hope for stability in latest changes to lab services

August 21, 2023

Dear Members,

Last week, Minister LaGrange announced that Alberta Health Services has signed a memorandum of understanding with the ownership of Dynalife, which will see the private provider (Dynalife) transfer all of its staff, operations and physical locations in the province to the government-owned Alberta Precision Labs by the end of 2023.

I wrote to members in May about the issues facing our laboratory medicine colleagues; including the fact that they have been without a contract with AHS for five years despite continued efforts to advance one. Friday’s announcement is just the latest in a series of changes, over many years, that have been impacting lab medicine.

Our laboratory physician leaders are optimistic that this change will help create stability and will provide an opportunity to make much needed system-wide investments.

Now that a decision has been made on the delivery mode, we are all hopeful that contractual matters with lab physicians will be settled expeditiously. Lab physicians and the Albertans they care for deserve continuity and stability. This is critical to ensuring timely diagnosis and treatment.

You are always welcome to share your thoughts with me. You can email me via president@albertadoctors.org. You can also comment on this letter on the AMA website.

Regards,

fred Rinaldi, MD, CCFP, FCFP, LLB, MBA, MPA(HSA), BCom
President, Alberta Medical Association

"Fate whispers to the warrior, 'You can not withstand the storm.' The warrior whispers back, 'I am the storm.'"