SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - The Department of Health and Social Services needs to improve its performance measurement and reporting, according to auditor general Sheila Fraser.

The department must follow through on identified priorities, improving the development and support of programs and services to residents, she stated in her report to the legislative assembly.

"The department and the health and social services authorities that deliver programs in communities need to improve their collaboration ... In addition, the department needs to improve its monitoring of programs delivered by the authorities," said Fraser.

She said an example of this is the department's inability to determine whether diabetes patients are improving and current standards for home care and long-term care are too broad for monitoring.

Fraser also said the absence of system-wide performance indicators and the lack of performance agreements with health authorities limit prevent the department from carrying out its priorities.

Fraser said the department agreed with the audit and said work is in progress for many of the recommendations, projected to be developed and adopted in the next few years.

The department's budget for 2010-11, at $326 million, accounts for about 25 per cent of the territorial government budget. The department has allocated about $222 million to regional health and social services authorities.

Health Minister Sandy Lee was not immediately available for comment.

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