Health's 2008-09 budget set s the stage for the long-term development and sustainability of the province's health system through investments in these key areas:
Infrastructure
$100 million new investment in health facilities primarily for major repairs and upgrades. The investment will improve safety and ensure a viable health infrastructure system into the future;Funding to develop a 10-year capital plan that ensures future investments are aligned with health delivery priorities.Health human resources
$20.7 million for nurse recruitment and retention, in addition to a $60 million fund created in 2007-08 to begin to fulfill the election commitment to hire 800 more nurses;$5.3 million for physician training and recruitment, including funding to add 24 post-graduate residency training seats at the College of Medicine in 2008-09 (a 40% increase); 4 additional seats targeted for internationally trained physicians (a 33% increase); and funds targeted specifically to address physician needs in the north;More training seats: including funding from the Ministry of Advanced Education, Employment and Labour, the government is adding 16 undergraduate physician training seats, 84 registered nurse training seats, 30 psychiatric nursing seats and 12 medical diagnostic technician seats; and Funding to create a 10-year health human resource strategic plan. Patient-centred Care
Patient First review of the health system to ensure long-term strategic direction and priorities in the health system recognize patient needs.Health Quality Council funding to more broadly measure and report the results of patients' experiences with the health system. Health services adapted to better meet unique needs of Aboriginal people, with funding from the federal Aboriginal Health Transition Fund.Development of a seniors' strategy to improve the continuum of care for seniors.Services
- 88 additional addiction treatment beds to be added;
- Increased number of surgeries, diagnostic imaging and renal services;
- Coverage of life-extending drugs for late stages of colorectal cancer;
- New prescription drugs in the Formulary;
- New Children's Drug Plan that limits approved drug fees to $15 per prescription;
- Vaccine program for girls to provide protection against cervical cancer;
- Increased cost of operations and collective agreements for health regions and Saskatchewan Cancer Agency;
- 2.3% funding increase for community-based organizations that provide direct health services;
- Funding for some non-core services eliminated or modified, including:
- Saskatchewan Worker's Health Benefits program eliminated;
- school-based dental sealant program suspended;
- income-testing introduced for seniors in the Seniors' Drug Plan; and
- eligibility criteria for insured compression garments based on medical need;
- Administrative efficiencies found by the Ministry and its major funded partners; and
- Special Support Plan claims no longer backdated to beginning of year.
An overview of the Ministry of Health's 2008-09 budget.
Ministry of Finance information on the 2008-09 budget, including the $1 billion Ready for Growth initiative.
