REGINA — An increase of $8.8 million in annual funding in the 2023-24 provincial budget will support Emergency Medical Services (EMS) improvements for 31 Saskatchewan communities.
The money will add rural and remote ground ambulance staff, expand community paramedicine, address wage parity issues, and provide more operational funding for contracted EMS operators and communication upgrades.
"EMS providers in Saskatchewan communities are on the frontlines of patient care, and our government is committed to supporting this critical priority area with funding for additional paramedics, ambulances and other essential resources," Rural and Remote Health Minister Everett Hindley said.
"This year's investment is part of a multi-year commitment to stabilize emergency services and modernize the system to improve overall response times, patient care and patient flow through the system as well as addressing offload delays."
The funding increase of $8.8 million includes over $3.5 million to support the addition of 33 full-time equivalent (FTE) positions in 27 Saskatchewan communities.
In the southeast, funding was announced for Carnduff, Stoughton, Filmore, Radville and Weyburn. Saskatchewan Health Authority ambulance services in Carnduff, Radville and Weyburn, as well as not-for-profit ambulance services in Stoughton and Fillmore, will see increases in paid hours to staff current ambulance resources eight hours a day /16 hours on call.
Estevan this year will be among the five communities in rural and northern Saskatchewan to benefit from a $739,000 increase that will expand the community paramedicine program, further enhancing the available community supports. This funding includes an additional 3.75 full-time equivalent community paramedicine positions that will be distributed across a number of ground ambulance services in the province.
"The additional funding provided by the Government of Saskatchewan is another positive step to advancing our vital Emergency Medical Services throughout the province," said John Ash, the Saskatchewan Health Authority vice-president of provincial clinical and support services. "Our EMS staff will be better supported and equipped to provide the best possible care to the people of Saskatchewan. Patients, especially those in rural areas, will have a more stabilized EMS service and quicker access to our health-care teams."
Contracted EMS providers across the province will receive a $2.6 million increase in wage parity funding to assist with recruitment and retention measures by ensuring wages remain competitive.
Other key investments include $866,000 to support a two per cent grant increase for contracted ambulance operators across the province to mitigate rising operational pressures; and over $1 million to support EMS communications equipment and technology upgrades.
"Paramedic Services Chiefs of Saskatchewan is pleased with the announcement in the provincial budget," said president Steven Skoworodko. "The investment of $8.8 million dollars is a strong commitment to addressing ongoing crucial needs of ambulance services and paramedics in the province. We look forward to ongoing dialogue with the Ministry of Health as well as the SHA to ensure the best patient care is brought to the residents of Saskatchewan."
