The former Director of Pathology is criticizing a decision by Alberta Health Services to move some pathology lab services at the Tom Baker Cancer Centre and says it could put patient's lives at risk.
Dr. Tony Magliocco used to run the lab in Calgary but quit this summer and took a job in Florida.
Magliocco says the AHS has been trying to shut down the lab for two years and move testing to its other facilities.
The doctor says he resisted the move but was ignored and is concerned about patient safety.
"Of course, a botched or faulty test could result in the wrong treatment and possible tragic outcomes for cancer patients, that's what I'm so afraid of," said Dr. Magliocco.
Dr. Magliocco also says he was told he could work elsewhere within Alberta Health Services but that if he took the job and made trouble, he would regret it.
The Wildrose Party raised the alarm bells as word of the closure spread.
The party is calling on the province to conduct a public judicial inquiry after learning that the world-class testing facility will be closing on December 1.
AHS says it plans to move some testing from the TBCC to Calgary Lab Services and that the tests will still be conducted by qualified people. They went on to say that the system will be more efficient this way and that the TBCC lab will still be used for research and experimental testing.
