Audit coming on travel nurse firm flagged for possible fraud, says N.L. health CEO

The main entrance to St. Clare's Mercy Hospital is shown in St. John's on Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022. The CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Daly

ST. JOHN’S — The chief executive of Newfoundland and Labrador’s health authority says a review is coming soon of invoices filed by a private travel nurse agency flagged for possible billing fraud by the province’s auditor general.

Dr. Pat Parfrey says he expects to receive the final audit report “in the near future,” though he did not provide specifics.

He said in an interview that it will be up to the provincial government to decide whether or not the report will be made public.

In a report earlier this year, the province’s auditor general said she found “strong indications of potential billing fraud” by a private company hired to provide temporary nurses to fill staff shortages.

Newfoundland and Labrador Health Services then hired Deloitte Canada to examine invoices and payments related to the company, referred to as “Agency A” in the auditor general’s report.

A news release said Deloitte’s audit was expected to be completed by October, but the health authority says that timeline has been adjusted.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 22, 2025.

Sarah Smellie, The Canadian Press