May 28, 2026

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Estimated read time: 7 minutes

In this issue:

Message from Chief Executive Officer

SHA 2026-27 approved budget and Roadmap announcement

Public Service Announcements and News Releases

Saskatchewan Health Authority Board of Directors approves 2026-27 budget
Saskatchewan recognizes Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Month
Saskatchewan Monthly Construction Update - May 2026 Edition
No edition of SHA Rounds on June 4, 2026

SHA CARES - Living our Values

Sask. MS care connects with patients wherever they are
Innovation Awards showcases health-care innovations in Saskatchewan

Recognition and Appreciation

Order your SHA Every Child Matters orange shirt today

Staff Information

Safety Talk - When in Doubt, Ask
In-Scope Employee Performance Reviews Update - Transition to Internal Website Key Dates
Momentum - Royal University Hospital Foundation refreshed newsletter
Life insurance improvements implemented for benefit plan members
LifeSpeak Week 4: The Science of Happiness

Notice Board

International Geriatric Mental Health Rounds
NEW: Venous Thromboembolism (VTE) Prevention Strategy Townhall
Registered Social Workers Provincial Community of Practice: Liability Insurance
Library Lunch and Learns - May to August
Belonging, Diversity, and Inclusion - Microaggressions vs. Microaffirmations
Fetal Health Surveillance Workshop
NEW: Learning Essential Approaches to Palliative Care (LEAP)
SHEPP Pension Information Webinars
Continuing Medical Education

Message from Chief Executive Officer

Saskatchewan Health Authority Board of Directors approves 2026-27 budget

SHA Employees and Physicians,

In alignment with the Government of Saskatchewan’s Patients First Health Care Plan, the Saskatchewan Health Authority is committed to advancing patient-first approaches that expand and modernize access to high-quality, safe care. In demonstration of this commitment, today, the Saskatchewan Health Authority’s (SHA) Board of Directors has approved our 2026-27 SHA Roadmap, operating budget of $5.59 billion, an increase of 5.05 per cent over last year, and an additional capital expenditure plan of $596.72 million.

This important milestone provides the strategic direction and financial support to realize our mission of working together to improve health and well-being, every day, for everyone, in key focus areas:

Expanding access to care so patients can receive timely services closer to home, including strengthening hospital and ICU capacity, modernizing diagnostics, improving access to surgery and enhancing EMS and emergency response. This also includes ensuring Urgent Care Centres are fully staffed and operational as planned and improving attachment and access through primary care models.
Improving recruitment, retention and training to support a strong, sustainable workforce, including strengthening physician contracting, workforce planning, accountability and recruitment processes.
Modernizing care delivery and scopes of practice to better meet patient and system needs, including enabling health professionals to work to full scope of practice through policy, training and staffing alignment; and using digital tools to improve access, navigation and care continuity.
Improving safety and quality of care through consistent standards and continuous improvement.
Improving facilities and equipment to support better care environments and outcomes including operationalizing funded acute care and diagnostic expansions.

The strategic objectives laid out in our 2026-27 Roadmap will guide us in supporting every person in our province in accessing the health care they need, when and wherever they need it.

I want to thank every member of the Saskatchewan Health Authority team for your dedication and compassion. Your work each day helps expand access, strengthen teams, advance quality and safety, and improve care environments. Guided by our CARES values and a shared commitment to putting patients first, we will continue to strengthen Saskatchewan’s health-care system and make a meaningful difference in the lives of those we serve.

Andrew Will
CEO, Saskatchewan Health Authority

Public Service Announcements and News Releases

Saskatchewan Health Authority Board of Directors approves 2026-27 budget

The Board of Directors of the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) has approved a record $5.59 billion operating budget for the 2026-27 fiscal year; an increase of 5.05 per cent over last year. In addition, a capital expenditure plan of $596.72 million has also been approved.

🌐View full release

Saskatchewan recognizes Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Month

The Government of Saskatchewan is recognizing Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Awareness Month and highlighting ongoing work to improve access to MS care across the province.

🌐View full release

Saskatchewan Monthly Construction Update - May 2026 Edition

The Saskatchewan Monthly Construction Update highlights a selection of infrastructure projects underway across the province. The series provides an inside look at work in progress, the collaboration involved, and the benefits these projects deliver for Saskatchewan people and communities.

🌐View full release

No edition of SHA Rounds on June 4, 2026

SHA Rounds will not be published on Thursday, June 4, 2026.

Regular publication will resume on Tuesday, June 9, 2026.

Please plan your submissions accordingly.

SHA CARES - Living our Values

Behind every Multiple sclerosis (MS) diagnosis is a person and a team that’s with them every step of the way.

May 30 is World MS Day. MS is a chronic autoimmune disease that affects the central nervous system. More than 3,000 people in Saskatchewan live with MS. Because MS affects each person differently, care must be tailored to individual needs. NEED URL

▶️ Meet the Nurses supporting patients with MS

🌐View full CARES story

Hand in Hand Innovation Award recipient – Ready, Set. Eat!

On May 11, 2026, the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) 2026 Innovation Awards Ceremony recognized the outstanding work being done across the organization by health-care teams and individuals. Hosted by Chief Operating Officer, Derek Miller, over 200 attendees joined the virtual event to celebrate innovative initiatives across the province. A record of 37 nominations were received.

🌐View full CARES story

Recognition and Appreciation

The SHA Every Child Matters orange shirt was specially created in recognition of the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation on September 30.

Reconciliation is more than one day a year, it’s an ongoing commitment. That is why you are encouraged to wear your orange shirt the last Friday of every month, to honour the survivors and the children who never returned from residential schools.

With National Indigenous Peoples Day approaching, on June 21, it is a great time to order your SHA Every Child Matters orange shirt! Proceeds from the sale of each shirt is donated to the Orange Shirt Society.

The ECM shirts are only available online. Order yours while supplies last and wear it proudly to show your commitment to Truth and Reconciliation.

🌐Order now

Staff Information

Safety Talk - When in Doubt, Ask

Workplaces are safer when everyone participates in safety. Dialogue can help create clarity, identify concerns, and mitigate risks before they lead to potential incidents. If you have a concern about a task or situation, take a moment to voice it. We are stronger when everyone is involved in making the workplace safer.

Read and post our Safety Talk to learn practical ways to speak up with confidence.

📄Safety Talk - When in Doubt, Ask

In-Scope Employee Performance Reviews Update - Transition to Internal Website Key Dates

To support a smooth transition to the new in-scope employee performance review submission site, there will be a two-week pause for managers holding and submitting new reviews while final system updates and access changes are completed.

In-scope employee performance reviews will transition from MyConnection to the internal website in June. The review process and form remain the same.

Key Dates:

May 31, 2026: Final day for managers to hold performance review meetings and submit reviews in MyConnection.
June 1-14, 2026:
- Managers - Do not hold or submit any reviews in MyConnection.
- In-scope employees - may continue to review and submit completed performance reviews in MyConnection.
Starting June 15:
- All reviews must be accessed and completed through the internal website, which is accessible only on the SHA network (ethernet, Wi-Fi, or VPN).

Momentum - Royal University Hospital Foundation refreshed newsletter

From left: Dr. Elliot Pally, Orthopedic Trauma Surgeon on the cover of Momentum and
Darryl Gurbach enjoying time with his granddaughter

Royal University Hospital Foundation has launched Momentum, a refreshed newsletter highlighting the innovation, collaboration and donor generosity helping move health care forward in Saskatchewan.

One featured story shares how trauma care at RUH gave Darryl Gurbach a fighting chance after a devastating rural accident near Tisdale in 2020. Gurbach arrived at RUH with severe injuries after hours waiting for help on a gravel road.

Through multiple surgeries, dialysis and weeks in the Trauma ICU, he never gave up.
“Nobody is guaranteed the end of the day. And I found that out. If it wasn’t for the hospital, and the equipment that they have, I probably wouldn’t be here,” says Gurbach.

Today, Gurbach is back at work, walking and spending time with his grandchildren.

🌐View full issue

Life insurance improvements implemented for benefit plan members

Recent decisions by the Employee Benefit Plans Board of Trustees have resulted in improvements to Saskatchewan health-care worker insurance coverage.

Basic Group Life coverage provides life insurance benefits to plan members or their loved ones if you, your spouse, or your child passes away. As of June 1, 2026, plan members will be paying less for that coverage.

The level of coverage provided for spouse and dependent insurance was also expanded on January 1, 2026.

🌐Learn more

LifeSpeak Week 4: The Science of Happiness

The science of happiness studies how biological, psychological, and social factors, such as emotions, habits, relationships, and mindset, influence overall well being. Research shows that happiness can be intentionally increased through practices like gratitude, purpose driven goals, and strong social connections. View the latest video resources and our webpage for more information to support our well-being.