Provincial Auditor Judy Ferguson says improvements are needed in the delivery of mental health and addictions services in the former Prince Albert Parkland Health Region. That’s now part of the Saskatchewan Health Authority. Ferguson says, in 2016-17, the region spent $13.2 million on mental health services which was the second highest spending per capita as compared to other health regions in the province. But, she says demand for mental health and addictions services outpaced the capacity to supply them. Wait times for service exceeded Parkland’s targets. Ferguson says a formal assessment of mental health and addictions services would help the Saskatchewan Health Authority to determine if these services are meeting client demand and identify adjustments.
The audit also suggests having multiple files on one client, and having them spread out over various service areas, can impede treatment for clients and create inefficiencies. As well, Parkland did not have access to information about applicable services at other publicly funded healthcare providers. The audit also found that up to 39 per cent of mental health and addictions clients did not show up to appointments. Parkland could not demonstrate that it followed up with those clients.