Saskatchewan

Saskatchewan's provincial auditor releases 2015 report

The first volume of the provincial auditor's 2015 report covers a wide range of topics from P3 projects to hospital management.

First volume covers range of topics including P3 projects, hospital management

Judy Ferguson, Saskatchewan's provincial auditor, presents the first volume of her 2015 report on Wednesday in Regina. (Dann McKenzie/CBC)

Judy Ferguson, the provincial auditor of Saskatchewan, has released the first volume of her 2015 report into the government's management of public funds.

The document covers a wide range of topics including hospital management and the use of public-private partnerships (P3) for building projects.

P3 projects

With respect to the P3 projects, Ferguson would like to set a threshold amount for how much P3s should cost, compared to the traditional construction methods.

She said that would reduce the risk of P3s only coming in as slightly less expensive than the usual approach, or even more costly.

Health care

Ferguson also said she wants the Regina Qu'Appelle Health Region to strengthen the way it discharges hospital patients to reduce risk of re-admission.

She said better communication and a more coordinated approach among decision makers are necessary to prevent inaccurate discharge information.

"The key area that really we're finding that they're not doing is, frankly, that paperwork piece," Ferguson said. "Getting the key information documented in the right spot and at the right time so that it can be used to make decisions."

Ferguson added that health care providers are often busy and the paperwork just isn't getting done.

"It's something that the region needs to turn its attention to," she said.

A number of additional topics are covered in the report. Follow the external link above and take a look at the list of other main points below:

  • Coordinating emergency response preparedness
  • Coordinating English-language programs for recent immigrants
  • Monitoring vehicle inspection stations
  • Inspecting industrial wastewater sites
  • Buying power from the private sector
  • Implementing the sector-wide strategic plan for the education sector up to Grade 12