Pathology Testing Services (December 5)
Dr. Swann: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Laboratory pathologists in Alberta are overloaded and afraid to speak. Calgary Lab Services have two pending investigations from the Health Quality Council, the Rockyview general hospital and the Baker cancer centre, both about poor-quality diagnoses.
This means preventable suffering and death for some Albertans and wasted public dollars. Pathologists have been raising concerns for years, but unfortunately the management of AHS has ignored and intimidated them. Small wonder pathologists are in short supply, overworked, and bound to make mistakes.
The Speaker: The hon. minister, please.
Mr. Horne: Mr. Speaker, well, I thank the hon. member for the question. Just to clarify, the review that is under way in Calgary is with respect to the processing of laboratory specimens at Calgary Lab Services.
With respect to the question around the culture of the system in which the pathologists perform, the hon. member has raised an important issue. Pathologists, like all physicians, need to feel the proper level of support both materially and within the workplace generally. I have every confidence that the Health Quality Council will look into this dimension as part of the review.
The Speaker: The hon. member.
Dr. Swann: Thanks, Mr. Speaker. Well, given that Calgary Lab Services has recorded a $16 million deficit this year, what is the nature of the contractual relationship between Alberta Health Services and Calgary Lab Services?
Mr. Horne: Mr. Speaker, Calgary Lab Services is a wholly owned subsidiary of Alberta Health Services.
The Speaker: The hon. member, please.
Dr. Swann: Thank you. It’s my understanding that three members of the Alberta Health Services executive are also on the board of Calgary Lab Services and, therefore, make decisions regarding budgets and contracts. Is this not a conflict of interest?
Mr. Horne: Well, Mr. Speaker, I’m not in a position to stand here and say what is or is not a conflict of interest. What I am in a position to say is that the terms of reference for the section 14 review that the member refers to are sufficiently broad. That issue, if it is an issue, would be addressed as well.
Alberta Hansard, December 5, 2011