40% of Nova Scotia auditor general recommendations still not implemented

Nova Scotia Auditor General Michael Pickup has accused the provincial government of being too slow to implement recommendations from his office.

In an audit of 400 recommendations from reports filed in 2012 and 2013, his office found 40 per cent still haven't been completed.

The recommendations dealt with issues ranging from hospital costs and travel expenses, to the provincial prescription drug monitoring system. Of the 400 recommendations, 133 remain works in progress.

The province has no plans to implement a further 28 recommendations, either because it disagrees with their need or government considers the changes no longer relevant.

In some cases, Pickup took issue with that stance.

Drug monitoring flagged

On the prescription drug monitoring program, Pickup remained adamant that three years after his report, the province should follow his office's advice.

"A recent allegation of drug prescription abuse publicly reported in February 2016 highlights the relevance of our recommendations," wrote Pickup in his followup report.

• Dr. Sarah Jones under scrutiny 6 years before drug trafficking charges

Pickup also took issue with the government's decision not to set up a province-wide wait list for addictions services.

"A single, province-wide wait list could help Nova Scotians by providing consistent intake processes and a more accurate picture of the total number of clients waiting for services."

The report also highlighted the province's rejection of the auditor general'scall to get an independent second opinion on market projections for the new convention centre in Halifax.

Nova Scotia taxpayers are contributing $58.9 million towardthe project.