HALIFAX -- Nova Scotia's auditor general says the province's hospitals will continue to deteriorate if capital funding is not increased.
Jacques Lapointe says the Health Department has estimated that more than $600 million will be needed in the next decade for basic infrastructure needs just to maintain the health system.
Lapointe delivered his annual report today, which concludes that if funding is kept at current levels, the province won't be able to cover equipment and infrastructure repairs as well as replacement needs.
His report says there is no provincial long-term capital planning for hospitals and the Health Department doesn't track the extent to which equipment and buildings are used.
He also says there are problems with the way the department prioritizes equipment replacement.
