(June 4, 2008) Saskatoon - Saskatoon Regional Health Authority has approved a balanced annual operating budget of $744 million for 2008-09. This is an increase of $39 million, or 5.5%, from the previous year’s Authority-approved operating budget. The Authority, at its public meeting on Wednesday, also approved a $106 million capital budget, an increase of $48 million, or 8.2% from the previous year’s capital plan.
“The 2008-09 operating and capital budgets continue to move the Health Region forward in achieving our vision of healthiest people, healthiest communities, and exceptional service,” says Darlene Eberle, Chair, Saskatoon Regional Health Authority. “The operating funds will support our highest priorities around patient/client/resident and staff safety, recruitment and retention, access to services, health equities initiatives, and service quality and innovation. The capital budget allows us to proceed with a number of construction projects, purchase new medical equipment, beds and lifts, and address some of our current infrastructure challenges.”
The operating budget anticipates the Health Region providing services at levels similar to those provided last year. Some enhancements include expanded services for the critical care unit at Royal University Hospital, a new ventilator transition unit at St. Paul’s Hospital, and increasing the overall number of surgeries performed at Saskatoon’s three hospitals to 32,200 compared to 31,714 by doing more surgeries that don’t require an overnight hospital stay.
The capital budget sees the Health Region having access to $47 million towards construction associated with the Humboldt District Health Complex, Irene and Leslie Dube Centre for Mental Health, Oliver Lodge expansion project, and Calder Centre renovations. Approximately $12 million will be spent on medical equipment, $8 million on diagnostic imaging equipment, $3.1 million on information technology, and $2.8 million on beds, stretchers and sleep surfaces.
Maua Davies, CEO and President, Saskatoon Health Region, says these budgets reflect the Region’s focus on quality improvement as a core business strategy and a commitment to ensure the public receives good value for the money invested in health care.
“Due to our province’s unprecedented economic boom, Saskatoon will continue to see growth and increased demand for health services. We are working hard to meet the community’s needs and expectations for timely, safe and effective care,” Davies said. “We need to find new ways of addressing the health disparities faced by many in our communities and the health needs of our aging population.”
Davies added, “we are also being affected by the significant increases in construction rates and equipment costs that will challenge us in managing capital costs and maintaining aging infrastructure. However, the most significant impact on our ability to balance this year’s operating budget will be the availability of health care providers. We will continue to work with government and our staff to create a work environment that enables us to recruit and retain dedicated health professionals. We will also continue to redesign how we organize and deliver health services, to eliminate waste and optimize the knowledge, skills and experience of all our staff and physicians.”
The Health Region employs more than 12,000 staff and physicians, with more than 77% ($573 million) being spent on salaries and benefits.
Overall, the Health Region operating budget sees it spending $473 million (63.5% of total budget) on hospital services, $145 million (19.5%) for long-term and continuing care services, $74 million (10%) for home care, public health and other community-based services, $37 million (5%) on program support, and $15 million (2%)on ancillary and special funded programs.
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(EDITORS: For more information, please call James Winkel, Corporate and Public Affairs Adviser, 306.655.3253)
Saskatoon Health Region
“Healthiest people, healthiest communities, exceptional service.”
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