A recently obtained access-to-information request reveals that on February 20, 2024, Department of Health and Community Services Deputy Minister John McGrath sent a letter to the Newfoundland and Labrador Health Services Chief Executive Officer David Diamond seeking clarification regarding the recent media report by the Globe and Mail on February 16, 2024, regarding NLHS’s contract with Canadian Health Labs (CHL) and the administration of contracts for agency nurses.
McGrath stated that in the NLHS May 2023 mandate letter, the Minister of Health and Community Services directed NLHS to demonstrate responsible expenditure management and to ensure the integrity of information.
As the entity responsible for the administration of health and community services in the province and NLHS’s duty to ensure responsible and efficient use of public funds, McGrath requested NLHS to provide a summary of existing agency nursing contracts, to investigate and provide a fulsome explanation on the $1.6 million payment to CHL for meal allowances, conduct a review of documentation and internal processes to ensure payments to CHL and other nursing agencies comply with the terms and conditions of contracts, and provide an overview of the internal controls in place to ensure payments to vendors are compliant with contractual terms and conditions.
McGrath asked that NLHS provide a response to his letter and the remaining information and documentation requested by Monday, March 18, 2024.
View the letter below:
Download the ATIPP file:
Matt Barter is a fourth-year student in the Humanities and Social Sciences Faculty at Memorial University of Newfoundland, majoring in Political Science with a minor in Sociology. He enjoys reading thought-provoking articles, walks in nature, and volunteering in the community.
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