Saskatchewan has opened 80 new acute care beds across three Saskatoon hospitals, part of a $73-million investment in the province’s health system this fiscal year.
The expansion includes 36 acute inpatient beds at Royal University Hospital, 24 beds at St. Paul’s Hospital, and 20 medicine beds at Saskatoon City Hospital. Combined with earlier additions, the province says Saskatoon has gained 120 new beds over the past 12 months.
Premier Scott Moe said in a media release that the investment reflects a commitment to expanding access to care by funding the people, spaces and services patients rely on. Health Minister Jeremy Cockrill said the new beds are intended to improve access to high-quality care, ease pressure on emergency departments, and ensure patients receive care as close to home as possible.
Staffing and Hospital Capacity
The province said all positions required to staff the 60 new beds at Saskatoon City Hospital have now been filled, and more than 150 permanent full-time positions were added at Royal University Hospital and St. Paul’s Hospital to support the new capacity.
The 20 medicine beds opened at City Hospital complete a planned 60-bed expansion at that site. The province said a further 49 beds are planned to open by March 2027.
Reducing Emergency Department Pressure
Saskatchewan Health Authority Chief Operating Officer Derek Miller said the additional beds are meant to help meet growing patient needs, support care across the health system, and improve the experience for patients and families. Provincial officials framed the expansion as directly tied to reducing delays in hospital admissions and relieving strain on emergency departments in Saskatoon.
Saskatoon Hospital Bed Expansion
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