OKOTOKS, Alta — A new DynaLIFE lab facility, will be opening in Okotoks, south of Calgary, and will replace most of the routine lab services provided at the Town's urgent care centre, in December.
Last week, Health Minister Jason Copping announced a new agreement between Alberta Health Services, DynaLIFE Medical Labs and Alberta Precision Laboratories that will provide non-urgent hospital lab services in the province. DynaLIFE will operate patient service centres and mobile collection facilities in urban centres and large rural communities, including in Calgary, Edmonton, Red Deer, Cochrane, Okotoks and St. Albert.
A service agreement between Alberta Health Services, Alberta Precision Laboratories and DynaLIFE was finalized on June 1.
Alberta Precision Laboratories told OkotoksTODAY in an email that DynaLIFE is planning to open a new "community patient service centre" in town as part of the new contract, which is expected to be open by Dec. 5.
The private healthcare organization is said to be working with Okotoks to identify the best location for the new facility.
"The long-term plan is to have community patients receive their routine lab work at the DynaLIFE facility, while Alberta Precision Laboratories will continue providing lab service to meet the needs of urgent care centre," said Alberta Precision Labs communications and engagement director Grady Semmens, via email.
"This will improve service for Okotoks residents by providing a dedicated community lab location with more convenient hours than the service currently available at the urgent care centre."
The Okotoks Health and Wellness Centre is currently open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Friday, and offers a variety of blood and bodily fluid tests.
Alberta Health spokesperson Steve Buick previously told Great West Media that the change will mean better service for Albertans.
“There should actually be some increases in service levels for patients, but it will depend on the exact location,” he said. “DynaLIFE will be upgrading and expanding collection sites in a number of places, so depending on exactly where you are, patients may actually see a higher level of service out of this.
"And there will certainly be no services reduced.”
Other communities, including Airdrie, Cochrane and Strathmore, are also expected to see patient service centres and mobile collection facilities as part of the contract.
According to the Province, this change will save anywhere from $18 million to $36 million.
