Federal government announces $560M in funding for health and long-term care in Saskatchewan

The federal government has announced $560 million in health-care and long-term care funding for Saskatchewan. This funding, provided through two bilateral agreements, aims to support improvements in the health-care system and enhance home care, palliative care, and long-term care initiatives. The agreements were announced by Federal Health Minister Mark Holland alongside Saskatchewan Health Minister Everett Hindley and Tim McLeod, the provincial minister of mental health and addictions, seniors, and rural and remote health.

The Working Together agreement, worth close to $391 million, will support Saskatchewan’s three-year action plan for health-care system improvement. This includes initiatives such as expanding chronic pain clinics, growing virtual triage physician programs, creating new acute care and complex care beds, and supporting post-secondary training seats. Additionally, funding will go towards expanding culturally appropriate mental health and substance use support and modernizing health-care systems.

The Aging in Care agreement, with $169 million, will support the province’s five-year action plan for home care and long-term care. This funding will enhance home and community care services, improve palliative care, and strengthen long-term care and home care services.

The funding announcement has been welcomed by various stakeholders, including Saskatchewan Union of Nurses president Tracy Zambory, who emphasized the importance of a partnership with the federal government in addressing healthcare challenges.

This funding marks another step in the federal government’s 10-year health-care plan, “Working Together,” which aims to provide approximately $200 billion in funding, with a significant portion being new money. Saskatchewan is the 10th province to sign a bilateral agreement with the federal government, following similar agreements with other provinces and territories.

Overall, this funding announcement represents a significant investment in improving healthcare infrastructure and services in Saskatchewan, ensuring better access and quality of care for residents.

For more information, please refer to original notice posted by CBC.