The capital expenditure plan is $448 million.
REGINA — The Saskatchewan Health Authority has budgeted $5.07 billion for its operating budget for 2024-25, with capital spending plans of more than $448 million in the works.
The SHA's board of directors recently approved the budget.
“Our board understands that the services provided by SHA staff and physicians are vital to providing quality health care to all Saskatchewan residents,” said Arlene Wicks, chair of the SHA board of directors.
“With significant health care investments from the Saskatchewan Government in this year's provincial budget, the SHA is focused on improving health care for patients and residents across the province. The SHA's board of directors is confident that this financial plan will help us achieve our goal of providing an excellent patient experience.”
“The 2024-25 SHA budget underscores our commitment to improving health outcomes and ensuring quality health care for all Saskatchewan residents,” said SHA CEO Andrew Will.
“We are making significant operational investments and focusing on providing seamless care closer to home, expanding our mental health and addictions services, and recruiting and supporting our dedicated medical professionals. We are also making significant capital investments in building and improving our clinical facilities and equipment to enhance both the patient care experience and support our medical teams.”
Highlights of the SHA’s 2024-25 operating budget include:
$42.4 million to help seniors live safely and comfortably in their communities
· An increase of $30 million to support Saskatoon and Regina's Capacity Pressure Action Plans to address acute care and emergency department capacity pressures.
· More than $24 million in new and ongoing mental health and addictions initiatives.
· $11.6 million to address a health workforce strategy to meet future health care needs by adding 250 new full-time positions.
· $9.7 million to help operate Regina's urgent care centre.
· $9 million to strengthen emergency medical services (EMS) and is in the third year of a multi-year ICU strengthening strategy to support new ICU beds and improve the level of care in existing facilities.
· $5.8 million to expand a primary care pilot in Swift Current and increase the integration of nurses and other health professionals to enhance access to primary care.
· $5.1 million for specialized medical imaging services, including increasing computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) capacity in the state.
· $4.5 million to improve and enhance access to cardiology and neurology services.
· $3.4 million invested in women's health, including establishing a Breast Health Centre in Regina to enhance breast health screening and treatment.
· An increase of $2.4 million to address capacity challenges around kidney health and organ and tissue donation.
· An increase of $2.3 million to continue supporting surgery programs, reduce waiting lists and improve quality of life for patients.
· A $2.2 million increase to the Prince Albert Victoria Hospital's Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and pediatric programs, as well as the provincial pediatric gastroenterology program.
The SHA also plans to allocate more than $448 million for capital infrastructure in 2024-2025, including the following items:
$337.4 million for planning and construction of major capital projects across the province, including but not limited to the expansion of the Prince Albert Victoria Hospital, Weyburn Hospital, La Ronge and Grenfell long-term care homes; as well as planning and design for the Saskatoon Urgent Care Centre, and continued funding for Regina, Estevan and Watson long-term care homes; $64.3 million for safety and emergency infrastructure, including enhanced building exteriors, electrical work, fire protection, security and interior functional renovations; $40.3 million in equipment funding to improve patient care, including improvements to diagnostic imaging, operating rooms, patient rooms, infection control and environmental services; and $6.1 million for other capital projects, including pharmacy clean room renovations, improvements to the Regina Chronic Pain Clinic and development of the Regina Breast Cancer Centre.
