Saskatchewan Hospitals Get $600M Boost for Upgrades

Saskatchewan is slated to receive more than $600 million in federal funding for infrastructure development over the next three years. A notable portion of these funds, approximately one-third, will be dedicated to enhancing hospital and long-term care facilities across the province. This marks a significant shift, as federal contributions to health infrastructure have historically been limited.

The first project under a new $195-million health infrastructure agreement between Ottawa and Saskatchewan is the construction of a new cancer patient lodge in Saskatoon. This facility, located across from Royal University Hospital, received a groundbreaking ceremony recently. The federal and provincial governments are each contributing around $7 million, with an additional $10 million from the Cancer Foundation of Saskatchewan.

The new lodge will feature 33 private patient rooms, including specialized suites for stem cell transplant patients and accessible rooms. It will also offer companion spaces, shared amenities like a kitchen and lounges, an exercise room, and a reflection room for ceremonies. This modern facility replaces the original lodge, which was built in 1928 and has since been demolished. Temporary services are currently in operation during the construction phase.