No severance for former AHS Chief Financial Officer
August 6, 2012
CALGARY - Allaudin Merali, former Chief Financial Officer with Capital Health and later with Alberta Health Services, will not receive a severance, the AHS Board announced today.
AHS also announced an independent forensic audit of Mr. Merali’s expense accounts. Alberta Health Minister Fred Horne has directed that an audit be conducted by an external accounting firm to be appointed this week by the AHS Board. The results will be made public and referred to Alberta’s Auditor General and Alberta Health.
The audit will determine if the expenses claimed adhered to the policies and practices in place under the former health region, and AHS’ current policies.
“An arm’s-length audit is essential,” said AHS President and CEO, Dr. Chris Eagle. “Although we cannot speak to concerns prior to the creation of AHS, Albertans want and expect a thorough review and complete accounting. Public confidence is paramount. We will focus on health care delivery, and refer the review to an accounting firm with expertise in this area.”
“In the interests of transparency and a full understanding of the issues, we felt it was necessary to have a third-party audit,” added Acting Board Chair Catherine Roozen.
“The audit will be expedited and publicly released. Since the creation of Alberta Health Services the Board has been consistent in its commitment to set the highest standards and expectations for AHS. Our responsibility is to ensure those standards have and will be met.”
Last week AHS announced that it has asked the Auditor General to review AHS’ current policies and practices, and provide direction and advice on if and how current policies and practices can be improved. The Auditor General has been asked whether AHS policies are consistent with best practices expected of public sector organizations and whether there is compliance with these policies.
AHS also announced that it will publicly post records of paid expenses for the CEO, and the Executive Vice-Presidents and Senior Vice-Presidents that report directly to the CEO, as well as the Board. All Executive expenses will be summarized and posted on an AHS web page in the coming weeks, and will be updated quarterly.
Alberta Health Services is the provincial health authority responsible for planning and delivering health supports and services for more than 3.7 million adults and children living in Alberta. Its mission is to provide a patient-focused, quality health system that is accessible and sustainable for all Albertans.
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