SHA cuts 26 leadership positions to improve local management

The Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) announced dozens of cuts to high-ranking positions, freeing up money for other initiatives.

Some of those impacted were 26 senior leadership roles, in addition to other corporate and support positions.

But, SHA CEO Andrew Will confirmed staff providing care to patients weren’t affected.

Read more:

• Province says 92% of surgeries in the last year met wait-time goal
• Saskatchewan government removes all U.S. counter-tariff measures
• ‘Dangerous’: Medical techs warn Sask. govt of issues caused by staffing shortages

The cuts leave $10.4 million in annual efficiencies to spend, with $6.2 million going towards patient care priorities.

The remaining $4.2 million will fund clinical leadership in 45 rural and northern communities.

“This is about taking resources that are being used for out-of-scope senior positions and moving them to positions that are right on the front line in communities all around the province,” Health Minister Jeremy Cockrill said.

Health Minister Jeremy Cockrill said the cuts allow for a better use of resources– and finding these efficiencies shows the government is listening to patients and health-care workers. (Will Mandzuk/650CKOM)

Strengthening local management across Saskatchewan

The decision to prioritize positions on the front lines comes after an SHA-conducted review, which found significant variations between local leadership and staffing numbers.

“In some cases, the number of staff reporting to a single leader was well over 100,” Will said.

According to Cockrill, some communities, like Nokomis and Imperial in central Saskatchewan, have one manager split between the two.

With the designated $4.2 million in efficiencies, this should stop.

The SHA will add 27 new clinical managers and enhance 20 pre-existing ones, transitioning them from part-time to full or near full-time.

According to Cockrill, these managers will be on-site at rural and northern health facilities, providing staff better access to leadership and ensuring they receive the proper feedback.

From the patient’s point of view, Will said, having visible leadership is also important.

“Strong local leadership means communities have connections with leaders who know and understand their health care needs,” Will said.

Fulfilling election promises

Another area seeing a shift in management is the physician leadership structure.

While Cockrill and Will focused primarily on the changes to local management, Will spoke briefly about the hiring of six Deputy Chief Medical Officers.

According to Will, they will replace current physician executives and report directly to the Chief Medical Officer, strengthening physicians’ engagement in decision-making.

“These changes are part of a larger ongoing effort to build a more integrated, sustainable and responsive health system in Saskatchewan,” Will said.

For Cockrill, finding these efficiencies and implementing change works towards fulfilling election promises made last fall.

“We heard from patients and from healthcare workers around the province who want to make sure the dollars that are being invested into healthcare in this province are being used well,” Cockrill said.

The implementation of these new and enhanced roles is set to begin this summer, with full rollout completed by the fall.