Alberta expands contract with private lab service to open more centres

The Alberta government says a private laboratory service that collects blood and other samples for medical testing will be expanding its operations.

Health Minister Jason Copping says DynaLIFE (DYE'-nah-life) Medical Labs, which already operates in Edmonton and some northerncommunities, will upgrade its facilities and open more service centres.

Copping says communities that can expect to see new labs in the summer include Calgary, Edmonton, Red Deer, Okotoks, Strathmore and Cochrane.

He says the province is expanding its contract with the lab service because it is cost effective and there will be no job losses.

Alberta Health Services will continue providing lab services in small rural and remote communities.

The government says nearly 80 million lab tests are completed in the province every year