New Brunswick's auditor general says the province's use of travelling nurses doesn't reflect best practice or value for money.
In a report published today, Paul Martin said private care contracts were not subject to a tender process or legal scrutiny and there was no evidence that all those hired had undergone criminal background checks.
His report says the approximately $173 million the province spent on traveling nurses between Jan. 1, 2022, and Feb. 29, 2024, was unjustified and unrelated to COVID-19-related job openings.
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Martin added that the Francophone Vitalité Health Network, which covers more than $123 million in traveling nurse costs, did not provide his office with the requested information.
The Horizon Health Network and the Ministry of Social Development spent about $48 million on travelling nurses, and Mr Martin said there were “serious concerns” about the lack of regulation around invoicing.
He said the fact that the company that billed the government the most — Ontario-based Canada Health Laboratories, which collected more than $93 million — showed the contract bidding process was flawed.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published on June 4, 2024.
© 2024 The Canadian Press
