IMPROVING ACCESS MAIN FOCUS OF HEALTH BUDGET

Improving access to health services is the focus of the provincial health budget for 2012-13, with an investment of $4.68 billion - a 4.9 per cent increase over last year.

"We are continuing with our focus to put the patient first - to ensure the people of our province receive timely and quality health services," Health Minister Don McMorris said.

Regional Health Authorities (RHAs) will receive $2.9 billion from the Ministry of Health in 2012-13, an increase of $98 million or 3.5 per cent, to continue to deliver health services to Saskatchewan people. RHAs operate the day-to-day delivery of health care and programs to provincial residents.

The Saskatchewan Surgical Initiative (SKSI) - the province's four-year plan to provide sooner, safer, smarter surgical care - will see a $60.5 million investment this year. Funding will support health regions to complete more than 8,000 more surgeries in 2012-13 (an increase of 10 per cent compared with 2009-10, the year prior to the initiative). Investment will also continue to improve health system quality and safety initiatives. SKSI's goals are to improve the surgical patient experience and provide all patients with an opportunity to have surgery within six months by 2013 and within three months by 2014.

The province is investing $5.5 million to introduce innovative approaches to improve access to primary health care by improving the patient experience, ensuring services are stable and sustainable into the future, and making and keeping Saskatchewan people healthier. This will be accomplished through a team-based approach to providing patient care - looking at new models for delivering service and using health technology in new ways.

The largest portion of the government's investment in health - 71 per cent of the 2012-13 Budget - goes toward paying health care workers.

Other key investments include:

• The Saskatchewan Cancer Agency will receive an increase of $16.9 million ($138.8 million total) to support access to cancer services and for increased drug, operating and medical costs.
• A total increase of $4.0 million will be provided to expand colorectal screening province-wide, providing early detection tools and thereby supporting early treatment and improved patient outcomes.
• An increase of $5.5 million is provided for the Shock Trauma Air Rescue Society (STARS) Helicopter Ambulance service for start-up and initial operating costs. This service will focus on care and transport of critically ill or injured patients in rural and remote areas of the province.
• An additional $2.5 million in diabetes support as part of the decision to move two long-acting insulins from Exception Drug Status listing to full formulary listing (Lantus and Levemir) and expand the Saskatchewan Insulin Pump Program to cover residents up to the age of 25.
• $1.5 million to implement a rural physician locum pool to improve access to physician care, in addition to the existing short-term locum pool. (Locum physicians temporarily fulfill the duties of physicians who are away from their practice).
• An additional $1.0 million in autism supports, for a total investment of $7.6 million this year. The additional funding will allow for more intensive therapeutic programming (including Applied Behavioural Analysis) for preschool children who are assessed as requiring an increased intensity of treatment to meet their learning needs and specialized training for professionals who work in the health and education systems through a partnership with the University of New Brunswick. This will include basic and advanced training.
• An additional $600,000 in supports for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) for a total investment of $3.6 million across government this year. Additional funding will allow for intensive FASD prevention programming to pregnant women at high risk for having a child with FASD, as well as further support until the child reaches two years of age.
• $42.7 million in funding to begin construction of seven previously announced long-term care (LTC) facilities under a new co-ownership model between the province and the Regional Health Authorities; and additional third party grant funding to continue with the six long-term care facilities currently underway.
• $16.4 million for equipment and capital maintenance of facilities.
• Planning and design will continue for Saskatchewan Hospital North Battleford, and Moose Jaw Union Hospital replacement.

A number of fee changes are also being implemented in the health sector to address cost growth in a few key areas.

"Sometimes, difficult decisions have to be made to ensure programs are sustainable into the future," McMorris said.

The Senior/Child Drug Plan cap will increase by $5 (from $15 to $20), for estimated health system savings of $10 million. This is effective midnight, March 21.

"The co-payment for the Seniors' and Children's Drug Plans has not been increased since 2007," McMorris said. "In order to ensure that programs are sustainable over the long term, adjustments have to be made in the short term. The Drug Plan will continue to provide a range of programs to help individuals and families with the cost of their medications."

For the first time since 1992-93, the Senior Citizen's Ambulance Assistance Program (SCAAP) deductible will increase by $25 (from $250 to $275) for estimated health system savings of $675,000, with an implementation date of April 1, 2012.

"The deductible has not increased for 20 years," McMorris said. "Expenses have increased in that time, and as a health system, we are trying to recoup some of those costs."

As well, a standard fee of $20/month will be applied for personal hygiene supplies for Special Care Home residents for estimated revenue of $401,000 (annualized to $534,000). Currently health regions do not charge consistent fees for hygiene supplies in long term care facilities. This fee will be adjusted annually based on Old Age Security/Guaranteed Income Support increases. About 5,800 seniors will see no change or a cost reduction, whereas about 2,700 seniors who paid a lower or no fee previously will now pay the $20/month fee. Implementation date is July 1, 2012.

"This will make supply charges for residents in special care homes across the province consistent," McMorris said. "Currently, there is no standardization in charges for these supplies, and it is unfair as residents are being treated differently in what they are charged. This change brings equity."

RHAs and the Saskatchewan Cancer Agency have been tasked with finding efficiencies through means that do not negatively impact patient care. This will be realized through general efficiencies (including administrative savings), increased use of shared services (including bulk purchasing) and anticipated generic drug cost savings, as well as through attendance management targets to reduce operating costs through reducing lost time due to injuries, "premium" pay and employee sick time.

Saskatchewan is committed to a health system that provides Better Health, Better Care, and Better Value for Saskatchewan people. The province also today released details of its transformation agenda with a focus on emergency room waits; complex care/mental health; seniors independence; reducing wait times for surgery, specialists and diagnostics; and safety and quality.

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For more information, contact:

Tyler McMurchy
Health
Regina
Phone: 306-787-4083
Email: tyler.mcmurchy@gov.sk.ca