N.S. AG recommends healthcare reporting improvements

The province needs to improve how it reports on healthcare.

That’s according to Auditor General Kim Adair, who’s made a dozen recommendations on Nova Scotia’s ‘Action for Health’ plan.

She looked at 13 key performance indicators, and said most don’t use effective targets to track performance against expectations.

“Nova Scotian taxpayers deserve to know what their billion dollar-plus investment under ‘Action for Health’ is achieving,” said Adair.

Adair also recommends health zone or facility level reporting, in addition to overall results.

She says weaknesses around reporting make it challenging to understand the results.

“Two of the KPIs were found to have significant data concerns. Health zone and/or facility level reporting is also needed in addition to province-wide results.”

Adair says the province disagrees with three recommendations, including transparent reporting on those seeking a doctor and those who leave emergency departments without being seen.

The province is spending $7.4 billion on healthcare in its 2025/26 budget.