Saskatchewan's provincial auditor releases 2015 report

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 documentcovers a wide range of topics includinghospital 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 tothe 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 saidshe wants the Regina Qu'Appelle Health Region to strengthen the way it discharges hospital patients to reduce risk of re-admission.

She saidbetter communication and a more coordinated approach among decision makers are necessaryto 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.

• EXTERNAL LINK:2015 Report Volume 1

A number of additionaltopics are covered in the report. Follow the external link above andtake a look at the list of othermain 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 theeducation sector up to Grade 12