Recommendations still outstanding
Social assistance transparency lacking, while medication controls not implemented
Multiple issues raised in a 2018 auditor general report that focused on improving P.E.I.’s social assistance program as well as Health P.E.I.’s medication controls have still not been fully addressed.
A report released by the auditor general on Jan. 24 found that four of 11 recommendations about the social assistance program — or 36 per cent — have not been implemented. Of the 15 recommendations made regarding controls of medications in the provincial pharmacy and in public long-term care homes, eight — or 53 per cent — have not been implemented.
The 2018 report also made four recommendations related to the Office of the Public Guardian. All of these recommendations have been implemented.
Overall, after four years, 40 per cent of the recommendations from the 2018 report have not been implemented.
"Four years is a long time,” Darren Noonan, P.E.I.’s auditor general, told SaltWire Network on Jan. 24.
“I think you should be able to implement the recommendations within four years."
This year’s report found that the Department of Social Development and Housing is still not reporting annually to P.E.I.’s legislative assembly on the administration and achieved results of the social assistance program. Annual reviews, which are required under the Social Assistance Act, are not taking place, while case plans for vulnerable Islanders are not being updated as required by existing policy.
The 2018 report noted that one recipient, whose file was part of the audit, was expecting a child. At that time, the audit found the individual’s case plan had not been updated to assess “supports to address the upcoming change in circumstances”.
The 2022 follow-up also noted that a recommendation that all applicants receive written updates of decisions regarding their social assistance payments, as well as details about appealing the decisions, has still not been implemented.
In its response to the audit, the Department of Social Development and Housing indicated to auditors it considered the recommendations implemented but did not provide a detailed response.
On the medication controls, this year’s report found that five recommendations
FILE related to training and communication to health staff about medication controls and management were not fully implemented. In addition, three recommendations related to ensuring controlled drugs stored within public long-term care homes are properly recorded, counted and accounted for were not implemented.
The 2018 report stated provincial inventories of controlled drugs, including benzodiazepines, were not routinely counted and reconciled in long-term care homes.
“In Canada, high risk medications have become a leading public health and safety concern,” the 2018 report stated.
“Narcotics and controlled drugs dispensed through the program, including opioids and sedatives, are among the types of drugs most commonly misused.”
In a response from Health P.E.I., the health authority stated a new narcotic and controlled drug policy had been drafted and was expected to have been completed last fall. In addition, improved recording practices for controlled drugs had either been implemented or was due to be implemented by winter 2022.
Opposition MLAs raised concerns about the outstanding recommendations during a meeting of the standing committee on public accounts on Feb. 1.
“Do you have concerns on the implementation of the recommendations around this one based on the response that we’ve seen from the public body,” asked Green MLA Michele Beaton, referring to the outstanding recommendations related to medication controls.
“We still have concerns,” said Noonan.
“They do have controlled processes in place. But they’re not as controlled as we would like to see them.”
Liberal interim leader Sonny Gallant noted one recommendation requiring social assistance payments are properly authorized by Treasury Board had been implemented. He also noted another recommendation requiring regularly updated case plans had not been implemented.
“They’re not following the policy. It just seems a bit concerning,” Gallant said.
“Yeah, I agree,” Noonan responded.
“Four years is a long time ... I think you should be able to implement the recommendations within four years.”
Darren Noonan
Auditor General