NS needs to improve health data reporting, AG says

HALIFAX – Nova Scotia’s auditor general says the government must be more transparent about the performance of the health system.

Kim Adair (pictured) says in a new report that taxpayers can’t properly determine whether billions of dollars in investments are paying off if they don’t have the proper data.

When Government launched the 2022 Action for Health strategic plan to transform the provincial healthcare system, it committed to providing regular progress updates through Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) including tracking the numbers of doctors, nurses and continuing care assistants; and measuring access to primary, long-term and home care.

However, the Auditor General’s examination of 13 Action for Health KPIs identified reporting concerns, and the audit reveals caution and context are needed to use and understand the numbers.

“Although the decision to report key performance indicators is a positive initiative for transparency and accountability, the results of this audit reveal this program could be more effective with identified improvements,” Auditor General Kim Adair said.

Audit testing on the 13 KPIs examined for the report reveals that:

• Most of the KPIs don’t use effective targets to track performance against expectations
• Two of the KPIs were found to have significant data concerns
• Health zone and/or facility level reporting is needed in addition to province-wide results

“The bottom line is that the reporting weaknesses affecting the 13 KPIs examined make it challenging for Nova Scotians to understand the information about Action for Health and health system performance,” Adair said.

The audit also suggests reporting should be more comprehensive and cohesive as information currently is on multiple public sites. Implementing these changes would help Nova Scotians better understand health system performance.

The Department of Health and Wellness disagrees with three of the 12 recommendations to improve reporting, including transparent reporting on Nova Scotians Seeking a Primary Care Provider; providing facility or health zone breakdowns of health system performance, and reporting on those who leave emergency departments without being seen.

The 2025-26 budget included an estimated $7.4 billion in healthcare spending, nearly half of the province’s total spending budget.

Spending under the banner of Action for Health in its first four years is anticipated to be nearly $1.3 billion.

Health system key performance indicators should promote full transparency and accountability, informing Nova Scotians about health system performance against targets and expectations, and the impact of substantial investments, says the Auditor General.

“Nova Scotian taxpayers deserve to know what their billion-plus investment under Action for Health is achieving.”