Saskatchewan Health Authority Board of Directors approves 2024-2025 Budget

The Board of Directors of the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) has approved a $5.07 billion operating budget for the 2024-25 fiscal year, as well as a capital expenditure plan of more than $448 million. The approval of the SHA’s 2024-25 budget represents a significant commitment to providing SHA staff, physicians and volunteers the resources, infrastructure and equipment they need to deliver high-quality care to Saskatchewan patients.

“Our Board understands the vital importance of the services provided by SHA staff and physicians in delivering high-quality care to all Saskatchewan residents,” said Arlene Wiks, SHA Board Chair. “With the significant health-care investment from the Government of Saskatchewan in this year’s provincial budget, the SHA will focus on enhancing care for patients and residents throughout the province. The SHA board is confident that this financial plan will help us achieve our goal of delivering an outstanding patient experience.”

“The 2024-25 SHA budget underscores our commitment to enhancing health outcomes and ensuring high-quality care for all Saskatchewan residents,” said Andrew Will, SHA’s Chief Executive Officer. “With significant operating investments, we are focusing on providing seamless care closer to home, expanding mental health and addiction services, and recruiting and supporting our dedicated health professionals. We are also making significant capital investments to build and improve our health facilities and equipment, enhancing both the patient care experience and support for our care teams.”

Highlights of the SHA’s 2024-25 operating budget include:

• $42.4 million to support seniors to live safely and comfortably in their communities;

• $30.0 million increase to support the Saskatoon and Regina Capacity Pressure Action Plans that address acute care and emergency department capacity pressures;
• more than $24 million to address new and ongoing mental health and addictions initiatives;
• $11.6 million to address the health human resource strategy to meet future health care needs through the addition of 250 new full-time positions;
• $9.7 million to support operations of Regina’s Urgent Care Centre; and,
• $9.0 million to enhance emergency medical services (EMS), and year three of a multi-year ICU enhancement strategy to support new ICU beds and improve levels of care at existing sites.
• $5.8 million investment to extend the primary care pilot in Swift Current and furthering integration of Nurse Practitioners and other allied health professionals to enhance primary care access; 
• $5.1 million for specialized medical imaging services, including additional computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) capacity in the province;
• $4.5 million to improve access and enhance cardiology and neurology services;
• $3.4 million investment in women’s health, including establishing a breast health centre in Regina and other enhancements to breast health diagnostics and treatment;
• $2.4 million increase to address capacity challenges for kidney health and organ and tissue donations;
• $2.3 million increase to continue support of the surgical program, reduce waitlists and improve patient quality of life;
• $2.2 million increase for neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and pediatric programs at Prince Albert Victoria Hospital and well as the provincial pediatric gastroenterology program;

The SHA will also make over $448 million of investments in capital infrastructure in 2024-25, including:

• $337.4 million for the planning and construction of major capital projects throughout the province including but not limited: the Prince Albert Victoria Hospital expansion; Weyburn Hospital; La Ronge and Grenfell long-term care homes; continued funding for planning and design of the Saskatoon Urgent Care Centre, and for Regina, Estevan and Watson long-term care homes, among many others.
• $64.3 million toward safety and emergency infrastructure, which includes enhancements to building envelopes, electrical work, fire safety, security, and interior, functional renovations;
• $40.3 in equipment funding to improve patient care including improvements to diagnostic imaging, operating rooms, patient rooms, infection control, and environmental services;
• $6.1 million for other capital projects such as pharmacy clean room renovations, improvements to the Regina Chronic Pain Clinic, and the development of the Regina Breast Cancer Centre.