EDMONTON, AB (November 30, 2011): Premier Alison Redford and Health Minister Fred Horne have ignored the warnings of an expert physician by allowing Alberta Health Services to shut down cancer testing at the Tom Baker Cancer Centre lab. 

After more than a decade of serving over 10,000 Alberta cancer patients, the Tom Baker cancer lab closed its doors today, despite serious patient care concerns expressed both behind the scenes with Superboard officials and in public by the lab’s former Director of Pathology, Dr. Tony Magliocco. 

Last week, Dr. Magliocco went public with his concerns that the Tom Baker lab closure and transition of all cancer testing to another site would jeopardize cancer patients. He called for the government to investigate the closure, but nothing was done. 

Wildrose Leader Danielle Smith said Magliocco’s case is why Alberta needs a judge-led public inquiry, as Redford initially promised. He was threatened and intimidated for asking questions and demanding proof the lab closure wouldn’t affect patient care. 

 “Dr. Magliocco was simply doing his job by advocating for his patients,” Smith said. “He went through the appropriate channels behind the scenes. He went public with his concerns. In both cases he was personally bullied, threatened and ignored. This intimidation of our health professionals must end. It’s the patients who ultimately lose out.” 

The Superboard offered little in the way of reassurances that cancer care will not be impacted by the Tom Baker lab closure, Wildrose Health Critic Heather Forsyth said. She noted the lab pathologists who developed and perfected many of the cancer tests that have been shut down will be laid off. 

“These types of decisions, made behind closed doors and with absolutely no consultation with medical professionals, are seriously impacting patients,” Forsyth said. “I hope Dr. Magliocco’s fears are not realized, but since this government refused to investigate them, we will have to wait and see.” 

The Wildrose Caucus stands for free enterprise, less government, increased personal freedom and democracy.