The Saskatchewan Health Authority’s Board of Directors has approved the budget for the 2022-23 fiscal year.  

“The SHA is committed to recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. For the 2022-23 fiscal year our focus will be to resume project work and re-establish the overall momentum on strategic initiatives,” said Arlene Wiks, Chairperson of the SHA Board in a written release. “It is critical our budget invests in key priorities that strengthen services for Saskatchewan residents and guide the advancement of essential health system priorities.” 

The SHA has an operating budget of $4.6 billion, and the capital expenditures are planned to come in at over $138.7 million. The budget for the SHA includes the SHA operating budget, the capital budget, and the operating and capital budgets of 3sHealth. 

Some of the highlights for the budget included in the release, which came out Friday, are the $21.6 million for increasing surgical volumes, as well as $12.5 million to expand the number of intensive care unit beds in Saskatchewan.  

Other parts of the budget include $10.8 million for stabilizing emergency medical services, $7.2 million for stabilizing rural emergency hubs as well as physician coverage, and $7 million for enhancing mental health and additions programming. 

There was $6.5 million in the budget set aside for hiring additional continuing care aides in long-term care homes in the province, with $4.8 million for enhancing home care. There is $4.5 million in the budget for addressing diagnostic wait times and $3 million for increasing high acuity unit positions in Regina. 

Some of the capital plans for the SHA for the fiscal year include building the new hospital in Weyburn and the redevelopment of Victoria Hospital in Prince Albert. There is also pre-construction planning underway for new and replacement long-term care facilities in Estevan, Grenfell, Regina, Watson and Yorkton.