Alberta’s Auditor General, Merwan Saher, released his July 2015 Report on Monday and provided 11 recommendations to the province to improve its systems and services.
“We believe the best way for Albertans to get what they want—their government delivering first class public services—is to focus on results,” said Saher in his message.
The auditors identified three repeated and eight new recommendations and examined systems to manage:
- Grazing leases
- The Mine Financial Security Program
- The Specified Gas Emitters Regulation
- The delivery of mental health services to Albertans in need
- The structural safety of bridges
OAG July 2015 Recommendations
Environment and Parks – Systems to Manage Grazing Leases
- Clarify objectives, benefits and relevant performance measures
- Improve program design
- Improve program monitoring
Environment and Parks – Systems to Manage Specified Gas Emitters Regulation
4. Clarify SGE regulation guidance documents
5. Ensure offset protocols meet new standard and improve transparency
Health and Alberta Health Services – Systems to Manage the Delivery of Mental Health Services
6. Use action plan and progress reporting to implement strategy
7. Integrate mental health service delivery and eliminate gaps in service
8. Improve information management in mental health and addictions
9. Complete assessment and develop waitlist system for Albertans who need
community housing supports
Transportation - Systems to Manage the Structural Safety of Bridges
10. Improve contracting for level 1 bridge inspections
11. Assess whether to contract out program delivery
Vickie Kaminiski, President and CEO of AHS, responded to the OAG report and said AHS will take action to address the recommendations to improve care and supports for those suffering from addiction and mental illness.
“The issues raised in this report are significant and important,” said Kaminiski, “We understand the importance of providing Albertans affected by mental illness and addictions with the care and services they require, when they need it.
Kaminiski says she has accepted the auditor general’s recommendations and has "committed to continuing to improve the care we provide to clients, while working with other organizations to ensure clients receive the supports they need.”
AHS officials say planned actions include:
- Working with physicians and other non-AHS service providers to enhance integrated care provided to hospital and community mental health patients
- Improving access to mental health resources at hospital emergency departments
- Continuing to improve care planning and case management practices consistent with Accreditation Canada standards and evidence-based standards of care
- Continuing to develop, and implement, best practices under the leadership of the Addiction and Mental Health Strategic Clinical Network
- Improving access for authorized health care workers to clinical information of addiction and mental health patients, no matter what AHS site they are at.
To view the Report of the Auditor General of Alberta July 2015 click HERE or scroll the document below.
