Once again, I push for more accountability in Manitoba's health care system

Thursday this week, I formally called for the audit of corporate management being conducted in the Burntwood Regional Health Authority to be made public.

There have been allegations of major corporate mismangement in the Burntwood Regional Health Authority. The Chief Executive Officer and two Vice Presidents have been dismissed. We are told this is based in part on results of a preliminary audit. The final audit is due soon. In early July as reported in the Thompson Citizen by Blake Ellis we were told at the time "these reports are not made public".

To me it is unacceptable that basic details of the audit will not be made public. The Regional Health Authority exists through a public mandate and uses public, taxpayers, dollars for almost everything it does. Making the audit public is about accountability. Making the audit public enables us as taxpayers and citizens to learn how public dollars are being spent. Making the audit public protects innocent people from being falsely accused as well as making sure that everyone understands that when they use public dollars there must be a high standard of accountability.

After my call for better accountability, Manitoba Health is now saying some parts of the audit will be made public. This is a step forward - we need to learn the nature of the problems and to see the recommendations for improvement.