Editor's note: The following is a brief summary of a story prepared by journalist Donna Korchinski. It is the first part of a series of five investigative stories on Calgary Laboratory Services (CLS) which are available on the NetNews Inc. website. Interested parties may receive the story at release time, indicated below. To receive a full copy of the story, please enter "ORDER".

by Donna Korchinski

NetNews Inc.

Calgary - Is Calgary Laboratory Services (CLS), a (26.5%) unit of MDS Inc., operating with the permission of the Alberta Minister of Health and Wellness or his department? Despite repeated requests, the Alberta government has not produced evidence that the minister or his department have approved the privatization of Calgary's medical labs, which have been in operation since 1996. NetNews has learned that as early as 1995, the minister of Health and officials from the department issued strong concerns over a plan to create Calgary Laboratory Services (CLS). Letters and memos obtained through the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act indicate that the minister and department officials were concerned about "potential risks" in a plan to turn over control of the region's medical laboratories to a private partnership. NetNews Inc. veteran journalist Donna Korchinski describes a cat-and-mouse game between the Calgary Regional Health Authority and the Alberta Health department over the privatized service, CLS. This is the first in a five-part investigative series on Calgary Laboratory Services.

This story is available in two print formats through NetNews Inc. One is a 2500-word format, the second is approximately 500 words. Your purchase entitles you to both versions and background documentation.

Date: May 5th, 2000

Part Two of LABORATORY MEDICINE - The Numbers Game

Part Three of LABORATORY MEDICINE - Where Did CLS Come From?

Part Four of LABORATORY MEDICINE - Overcrowding - a compromise of safety?

Part Five of LABORATORY MEDICINE - Patient Service - a story of frustration