Saskatchewan Health Authority adds more staff, long-term care capacity as part of the Saskatoon Capacity Pressure Action Plan

DECEMBER 19, 2023 – The Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) in collaboration with the Ministry of Health is announcing progress on several measures intended to improve capacity to Saskatoon hospitals as part of its 30-day update on the Saskatoon Capacity Pressure Action Plan (SCPAP).

In partnership with the Ministry of Health, the SHA is announcing the addition of 285 permanent and 81 temporary staff in Saskatoon for health-care positions in both community and hospital settings. Recruitment for these positions is already underway, and will provide significant support to the ongoing efforts of staff and physicians providing tremendous care to our patients.

The SHA has released an Expression of Interest (EOI) to procure additional community-based Long Term Care (LTC) capacity in Saskatoon. The addition of community-based LTC beds will support one of the SCPAP’s ultimate objectives of ensuring that patients receive the appropriate level of care in the appropriate care setting, and expanding acute care hospital capacity for acutely ill patients.

“System pressures remain in Saskatoon, but we are making progress and are grateful for the hard work underway by our teams in creating innovative solutions and making needed changes to improve care delivery,” said John Ash, Vice President, Integrated Urban Health – Saskatoon. “I would like to take this opportunity to personally thank every staff member and physician who has contributed to our successes to date and continue to provide exceptional care under challenging circumstances.”

Through the first 30 days of implementation, the SHA has delivered several of the 30-day targeted objectives within the SCPAP. Progress includes:

• The establishment of 32 community transition care beds as well as, emergency department flex and transitional beds at the Royal University Hospital to provide appropriate care location for individuals awaiting permanent placement in community setting or return home. 
• Addition of temporary Emergency Department staffing, including nursing, social work, support workers and security personnel to improve patient and staff safety and enable clinical staff within these settings to focus on delivering care to patients.
• Deployment of existing staff to acute care units has occurred to coordinate patient care transitions to appropriate care settings.
• On December 18th, the Government of Saskatchewan announced an annual investment of $2.6 million to provide support for two additional ambulances staffed 24 hours a day/seven days a week, as well as an additional community paramedic 12 hours a day/seven days a week.
• Enhanced weekend staffing in Saskatoon facilities is to ensure weekend patient discharge and care transitions align with standard discharge practices.
• Maintaining additional Inpatient and Emergency department patient care areas to accommodate higher patient volumes.

“All of the progress to date will help staff and physicians not only support improved hospital experiences, but will help the SHA deliver community care closer to those who need it, closer to home,” said Ash. “We are grateful for their willingness to share innovative ideas and identify opportunities, and thankful for the Ministry of Health’s partnership in moving forward some of the larger initiatives needed.”

The SHA is continuing its work to take longer-term actions identified within the SCPAP, and will continue providing updates in alignment with the targeted timeframes. We acknowledge that capacity pressures are impacting centres throughout Saskatchewan, and is actively implementing and developing plans to support the efforts of staff in providing exceptional patient care while addressing capacity pressures throughout the province, including in Regina.

Saskatoon Capacity Pressure Action Plan can be found at saskhealthauthority.ca.