$272M Already Wasted on Faulty IT Software – Nearly the Cost to Build Saskatoon Children’s Hospital
SASKATOON – The Saskatchewan NDP and SEIU-West are calling on the Sask. Party to fix or scrap their faulty IT system AIMS so healthcare workers can get paid and hospitals get the equipment needed to function.
“Healthcare workers should not be going weeks or months without pay, especially when this government is paying through the nose for a crappy IT system throwing our hospitals into chaos,” said Keith Jorgenson, Saskatchewan NDP Associate Shadow Health Minister.
“After 18 years in office, the Sask. Party can't even get the basics right. Minister Cockrill needs to fix this now or scrap it before taxpayers are on the hook for another $272 million. Frankly, pay the damn workers.”
Under pressure from a hundred healthcare workers at the Legislature, Minister Jeremy Cockrill announced yesterday that the scheduling portion of AIMS would be paused.
The scheduling portion is just the tip of the iceberg, as major problems persist with the procurement portion of software as well. Sources tell the Opposition that healthcare facilities are often being forced to go without basic supplies, sometimes even food for patients.
“The issues with AIMS have had a real impact on health care workers,” says Lisa Zunti, President of SEIU-West. “We are encouraged that this government has really listened. This proves the strength we have when we raise our voices together.”
Nearly a year ago in December, the Provincial Auditor pegged the cost of AIMS at $250 million, three times higher than the original cost. For comparison, it cost $285 million to build the Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital.
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