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'Whatever the reasons for this centralization, the new technology is not it.' - Elisabeth Ballermann.
Edmonton (17 June 2009) - The reason given by Alberta Health Services (AHS) for the centralization of gynecological cytology testing (pap smears) does not align with the facts, says the union representing cytotechnologists and laboratory assistants who are facing layoff because of the change.
The Health Sciences Association of Alberta (HSAA/NUPGE) represents more than 18,000 paramedical technical, paramedical professional, and general support employees in more than 150 health care disciplines.
Last week, Dr. Fred Swaine, AHS vice-president for laboratory service, said that a new, liquid based process would be used to process hundreds of thousands of pap smears for Alberta women. The erroneous implication was that this technology is not available in labs that will be bypassed as a result of the centralization plan.
However, both Lethbridge and Red Deer have been using this testing to process pap smears for some time, notes HSAA president Elisabeth Ballermann.
"Our members tell us that they have been running all their samples using this process and that their turnaround times are at least as good, if not better, than those in the laboratories that will now do all of the testing," Ballermann says.
"Whatever the reasons for this centralization, the new technology is not it. While we have not been given detailed numbers, our members tell us that only a fraction of those displaced will have an opportunity to get work with DynaLIFE, or Calgary Laboratory Services (CLS) (the successful bidders). We represent the workers at both of those labs, and we constantly hear of the excessive workloads. This move adds to those workloads, and may result in errors. Given what has occurred in other Canadian jurisdictions, this should concern Albertans."
Currently, CLS cytotechnologists are expected to process 85 pap smears per shift, a significantly high ratio of tests per shift that has also impacted morale at the southern Alberta worksite. HSAA is determined to do everything possible to minimize the impact on its members.
"We are advocating with AHS for some provision that would ensure that those few new positions with DynaLIFE and CLS are offered to the displaced professionals," Ballermann says.
"But it is clear that there will be layoffs and these highly specialized employees cannot be redeployed to other positions. Other options we will pursue include retraining, but the members are legitimately asking - ‘retraining for what?’ in the current climate that has seen health care jobs dry up."
NUPGE
The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) is one of Canada's largest labour organizations with over 340,000 members. Our mission is to improve the lives of working families and to build a stronger Canada by ensuring our common wealth is used for the common good. NUPGE