80 new acute beds open in Saskatoon

October 20, 2026

Media Release, Health, Saskatchewan Health Authority

Key points from this story:

• 80 new acute beds opened
• 36 beds at Royal University Hospital
• 24 beds at St. Paul's Hospital
• 20 medicine beds at City Hospital
• Supported by $73 million investment
• Over 150 permanent full-time positions added

A total of 80 new acute beds are now open across Saskatoon, reflecting the province's ongoing commitment to putting patients first and improving access to timely, high-quality care.

This expansion includes:

• 36 acute inpatient beds at Royal University Hospital;
• 24 acute inpatient beds at St. Paul's Hospital; and
• 20 additional medicine beds at Saskatoon City Hospital.

These beds add to the 40 medicine beds previously opened at Saskatoon City Hospital, bringing the total number of beds opened at Saskatoon hospitals in the past 12 months to 120.

"Expanding access to care means investing in the people, spaces and services that patients rely on," Premier Scott Moe said. "By increasing hospital capacity and supporting better patient outcomes, we are delivering on our commitment to put patients first and build a stronger health system for Saskatchewan families."

"Today is an important milestone for Saskatoon and for patients across Saskatchewan," Health Minister Jeremy Cockrill said. "With the opening of these 80 new acute care beds, we are improving access to high-quality care, reducing pressure on our emergency departments, adding capacity and ensuring patients receive the right care, in the right place as close to home as possible."

The 80 new beds are supported by a $73 million investment this fiscal year to help reduce pressure on Saskatoon's emergency departments by reducing delays in hospital admissions and enhancing safety for both patients and staff.

The 2026-27 investment builds on the $45 million invested over the past two fiscal years to expand acute care capacity at Saskatoon City Hospital and includes:

• $54.2 million to continue the realignment of acute care services at Saskatoon City Hospital; and
• $19.5 million to add a total of 60 permanent inpatient beds at Royal University Hospital (36) and St. Paul's Hospital (24).

The opening of these 20 medicine beds marks the completion of the planned expansion to 60 medicine beds at City Hospital. This forms part of the hospital's larger 109 bed acute care expansion, with the remaining 49 beds set to open by March 2027.

"The opening of new acute care beds in Saskatoon reflects our commitment to expanding capacity and improving access to care for patients in Saskatchewan," Saskatchewan Health Authority Chief Operating Officer Derek Miller said. "These additional beds will help us meet growing patient needs, support patient care throughout the health system, and enhance the care experience for patients and families."

All required positions for the 60 medicine beds at Saskatoon City Hospital have been hired. The majority of the positions have been hired at Royal University Hospital and St. Paul's Hospital, with remaining positions undergoing the hiring process.

Over 150 permanent full-time positions were added at Royal University Hospital and St. Paul's Hospital to support the new inpatient beds. Additional physicians, nurses and a wide range of allied health positions are also being hired at Saskatoon City Hospital as part of the SHA's broader effort to staff over 450 new full-time positions to support the hospital's full acute care expansion.

The allied health positions include pharmacists, dieticians, physiotherapists, occupational therapists and others; specialized lab and medical imaging staff; clinical support staff; and other essential staff needed to safely operate the expanded units.

Together, these investments support Saskatchewan's broader strategy to strengthen hospital capacity, reduce emergency department pressures and improve community-based health services.