Saskatoon can look forward to more beds at hospitals after an additional 80 acute care beds opened at hospitals in the city.
The 80 new beds were broken up amongst Saskatoon’s three hospitals, with 36 acute inpatient beds at Royal University Hospital, 24 acute inpatient beds at St. Paul’s Hospital, and 20 additional medicine beds at Saskatoon City Hospital.
The new beds have helped to bring the total number of beds opened at Saskatoon hospitals in the past 12 months to 120.
The beds at City Hospital are in addition to the 40 medicine beds opened previously, and is part of the hospital’s larger 109 bed acute care expansion. The remaining 49 beds are set to open by March 2027.
The new beds mean an additional 150 permanent full-time positions were added at Royal University Hospital and St. Paul’s Hospital. As well, City Hospital has seen an additional 450 new full-time positions to support the hospital’s full acute care expansion.
All of the 60 new medicine bed positions at Saskatoon City Hospital have been filled. Most positions for the new beds at Royal University Hospital and St. Paul’s Hospital have been hired, with remaining positions still undergoing the hiring process.
Saskatchewan Health Authority Chief Operating Officer Derek Miller says the new beds help to reflect the SHA’s commitment to improving healthcare access for patients in Saskatchewan.
“These additional beds will help us meet growing patient needs, support patient care throughout the health system, and enhance the care experience for patients and families.”
The province says the new beds are supported by a $73 million investment this fiscal year. The investment includes $54.2 million to continue the realignment of acute care services at Saskatoon City Hospital, and $19.5 million to add a total of 60 permanent inpatient beds, with Royal University Hospital getting 36 and St. Paul’s Hospital receiving 24.
The investment builds on a $45 million investment over the past two fiscal years to expand acute care capacity at Saskatoon City Hospital.
