From the SHA:
The Saskatchewan Health Authority's (SHA) Board of Directors today approved a $4.36 billion operating budget for the 2021-22 fiscal year, as well as a capital expenditure plan of more than $159 million for 2021-22.
“As we begin to emerge from the fight against COVID-19, it is critical that our budget invest in key priorities that strengthen services for Saskatchewan residents while maintaining capacity for pandemic response," said Arlene Wiks, Chairperson of the SHA Board. “That is why we are working with the Government of Saskatchewan to target investments in critical areas that enhance access to vital core services like mental health and addictions supports, while not letting down our guard on important public health activities like testing, contact tracing and immunization."
The Ministry has targeted $90 million in one-time funding for COVID response in 2021-22. In 2020-21, SHA's expenses related to pandemic are included as part of its higher than usual expenditures on staff compensation, personal protective equipment, and other related supplies and infrastructure. The Ministry provided SHA $373.1 million in additional funding for 2020-21 to assist in addressing pandemic costs.
“While pandemic management and vaccine delivery are still our primary focus, this budget will enable us to continue our overall momentum on our Connected Care strategy by investing in targeted initiatives that enhance the accessibility and timeliness of key services for Saskatchewan residents," said CEO Scott Livingstone. “This includes additional support for those struggling with mental health and addictions, enhanced access through the reduction of wait times for emergency services and diagnostic imaging and additional support for continuing care."
Some new funding highlights from the SHA's operating budget include:
- $7.2 million: enhanced mental health and addictions programming
- $6.6 million: reduce EMS & emergency department wait times
- $6.0 million: additional Continuing Care Aides in long-term care and Home Care
- $4.4 million: projects focused on patient flow initiatives that ensure patients are receiving the right care at the right time as close to home as possible
- $2.0 million: expansion of the Neonatal Unit in Prince Albert
- $1.2 million: address diagnostic imaging wait times
The SHA's 2021-22 plan for capital expenditures targets infrastructure, equipment and information technology investments, including allocations to further advance planning for the new Victoria Hospital in Prince Albert and Weyburn Hospital in Weyburn, as well as planning for long term care facilities in Watson, Estevan, Regina and Grenfell.
SaskBuilds stimulus funding of $89.2M will be put towards infrastructure maintenance ($75 million) as well as the following key projects:
- $8.0 million: La Ronge Long Term Care                                  Â
- $ 6.0 million: Regina/Saskatoon Urgent Care Centers     Â
“These strategic infrastructure investments, combined with targeted investments in key services, will allow us to address some of the local pressures on our health system and strengthen our overall ability to ensure Saskatchewan residents are getting the right care from the right provider at the right time, as close to home as possible," Livingstone said.Â