Questions are being raised about the number of administrators from the various Nova Scotia health authorities that have shown up on a list of government workers pulling in salaries of at least $100,000 per year.

Critics are wondering why front line budgets are being trimmed and services in hospitals reduced, while Vice Presidents and Presidents are being very well compensated.  There is also concern that the health care system is fundamentally top-heavy.

PC Leader Jamie Baillie says he sees a disconnect between what taxpayers are doling out and the level of service that is being provided.
 ”The people that defend the current system say ‘you gotta pay to get good people’, and I know that to be true,” he says on Maritime Morning.  “But we’re paying world class salaries and if we were getting world class care, then this maybe would not be as much of an issue.”

Provincial Health Minister Dave Wilson says the government has been focused on balance and efficiencies within the system.  He says it’s been the goal of the government to reduce the amount spent on administration since the NDP took office in 2009.   

“We recognized that as soon as we came into government,” he says.  “That’s why we’ve made the changes and they are working extremely hard to ensure that those savings go right towards the front line health care workers.”  

Right now, 399 administrators within Nova Scotia’s health system make over $100,000 per year.  Wilson says he’s not concerned and that, in fact, Nova Scotia is doing better at cutting the bureaucratic fat than most other provinces.

“We’re below the national average now, we’re going to continue to find savings within the District Health Authorities and I think that’s the way to go,” he says.