Wilson continues to battle for medical lab

By Maija Hoggett Nov 19, 2010
NEW TECUMSETH – Bringing a medical lab back to Tottenham and reducing the lineup at the Alliston lab are on Simcoe-Grey MPP Jim Wilson’s to do list.
Wilson recently met with the president of Gamma-Dynacare, a privately-run lab that offered blood testing and other specimen collecting services, which was located in Tottenham until closing earlier this year after a dispute with the landlord.
While the lab was closed at the discretion of the business owners, Wilson is calling on the provincial government to make sure the necessary funding is in place to provide laboratory services in the area.
“I’m happy to report that the company has expressed an interest in helping to resolve that particular issue,” said Wilson in an email update to constituents.
He is also following up with LifeLabs, who he met with recently. At that time, Wilson said the company promised to update him on the situation at their locations in Alliston, Elmvale, Collingwood and Wasaga Beach.
Wilson said he is also going to meet with the Deputy Minister of Health, Assistant Deputy Mayor for Accountability and Negotiation and a rep for the Minister of Health to discuss the medical lab issue in Simcoe-Grey.
To prepare for the meeting, the Simcoe-Grey MP is looking for help from his constituents.
He is looking for information from people who have experienced problems or inconveniences with local medical labs, whether it’s from the closures and line-ups or other issues (like small waiting rooms).
“I will bring every issue that you bring to my attention with me to the Ministry of Health where I will do my best to get each and every one of them resolved,” said Wilson.
Wilson has also tabled two order paper questions. These are questions that MPPs may ask of the government in writing, which the minister responsible (in this case the Minister of Health and Long Term Care) must respond within 28 sitting days of the Legislature.
Wilson’s questions ask the minister to explain when the ministry was notified of the closure of medical laboratories in Tottenham, Stayner and Elmvale, what steps were taken to prevent the cut to frontline care, and what the current wait times are for each service provided at Life Labs medical labs in Alliston, Collingwood and Wasaga Beach.
“These are important questions for Premier McGuinty and the Minister of Health that I feel must be answered so that we can get to the bottom of this matter and resolve it,” said Wilson.
To share your medical lab experiences, Wilson’s Alliston office is located at 180 Parsons Rd. The phone number is 705-435-4087. Information is also available online at www.jimwilsonmpp.com.