FREDERICTON (GNB) – Auditor General Paul Martin tabled a report in the legislative assembly today that includes an audit of the Department of Health’s responsibility to ensure timely access to addiction and mental health services.
“There are numerous improvements required pertaining to the development of key performance indicators, monitoring and reporting on access wait times, and an updated budgeting mechanism,” said Martin.
Martin concluded that the department lacks mechanisms to ensure timely access to addiction and mental health services; that performance measures, particularly those indicating wait times between referral and assessment, are inadequate; and that wait times for treatment often exceed the department’s established performance measures.
The Mental Health Services Advisory Committee, enacted by legislation, has not met since 2018.
The audit found that the budget for addiction and mental health services is not based on current needs assessments and the department does not monitor how the budget is used within the regional health authorities.
“The findings underscore the need for the Department of Health to implement effective measures to ensure timely access to addiction and mental health services in New Brunswick,” said Martin. “Addressing these recommendations will be crucial to ensuring that New Brunswickers receive the timely and adequate mental health support they need.”
The auditor general provided eight recommendations to the Department of Health. The report is available online.
10-12-24