The Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) continues to expand its online Patient Booking System for lab appointments to book blood and urine collection, electrocardiograms (ECGs) and glucose intolerance testing online, where available. Assiniboia and Gravelbourg are the latest communities to have access to the Patient Booking System.

Booking opened for both communities on November 12, with appointments available in Assiniboia starting November 18 and in Gravelbourg beginning November 19.

The SHA Patient Booking System is the fastest way to book a lab appointment and is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. To book your appointment using the online system, you need:

If you do not see your desired appointment type or location, or if you require further assistance, call thePatient Booking System Call Centre Monday through Friday from 8:45 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. (closed statutory holidays) at 1-833-727-5829. Walk-in appointments will continue to be available on a first-come, first-served basis at all testing locations.

Halloween 2025 became a day of celebration, compassion and inclusion at the Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital.

The Child Life Department hosted a costume parade offering reverse trick-or-treating to younger patients with support from the Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital Foundation.

More than 80 staff donned full costumes in various themes like Mario Kart and under-the-sea. It was an ocean of colour and laughter winding through the halls where more than 60 young patients received candy and small surprises to celebrate the day.

After the parade, the joy continued at a family party in the Child Life Zone. Donated costumes were ready for use, ensuring every child could take part.

The efforts from care teams at the Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital used Halloween to create a sense of belonging. By working together, employees and physicians created moments where patient-centred care-built community, and compassion led to every child feeling included in the celebration–this is the SHA’s CARES values of compassion and equity in action.

Starting Monday, Nov. 10, the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) has launched a new process to provide patients, families, and communities with accurate and reliable information about emergency room availability. All emergency service disruptions, regardless of their length, are now being posted publicly on the SHA website, with updates occurring daily at 4 p.m., seven days a week.

This webpage, found at saskhealthauthority.ca/servicedisruptions, lists all affected facilities alphabetically and provide direct links from the SHA Facilities & Locations directory to community-specific disruption notices.

When emergency room services are disrupted, signage will be posted at the affected facility, and Healthline 811 will have real-time information available. Patients and families are encouraged to call Healthline 811 toll-free, 24 hours a day, for advice regarding service availability or to access health guidance from Registered Nurses and other qualified health professionals.

Work is also underway to enhance this process by developing a longer-term, user-friendly public interface to support real-time updates.

In any life-threatening emergency, call 9-1-1 immediately so paramedics can assess, treat, and transport the patient to the nearest available site for medical attention.

The surgical team at Pasqua Hospital in Regina achieved a significant milestone with their first robot- assisted surgery on Sept. 26, 2025. 

This a significant leap forward in precision, innovation, and patient-centered care. 

The da Vinci robot enables surgeons to perform complex procedures with enhanced control and vision, previously not deemed possible. Allowing for quicker healing, smaller incisions, and better patient recovery, this program will ensure optimal outcomes for every person in our care.  

This landmark achievement reflects our CARES values (Compassion, Accountability, Respect, Safety and Equity) as it helps patients access the care best suited to them, while healing faster and getting home sooner. 

A new Clinical Standard for Suicide Prevention aims to reduce variation in how suicide risk is identified and addressed across Saskatchewan.

“The goal is to create a safer, more coordinated system of care across the province,” said Zoe Teed McKay, SHA Executive Director Provincial Mental Health and Addiction Services. “We want to enhance how we identify and respond to risks of suicide to provide Saskatchewan people the right support at the right time, every time.”

Introduction of the new standard aligns with the SHA CARES values, ensuring those at risk of suicide – regardless of where they live – receive compassionate, respectful, equitable and safe care. Staff training focuses on:

• recognizing signs someone may be struggling with thoughts of suicide;
• responding confidently with clear steps for assessment, safety planning and treatment;
• providing consistent care across all service lines; and,
• improving outcomes through early intervention and effective long-term support for recovery.

The new standard launches December 1, 2025. Implementing this clinical standard helps meet Accreditation Canada’s suicide prevention requirements, which may be new in some care settings.

Suicide is preventable. The SHA is taking steps to ensure consistent screening of individuals at risk across all service areas to reduce deaths by suicide in Saskatchewan and the impact on families, friends and communities left behind. 

If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide, call or text the Suicide Crisis Helpline at 9-8-8 anytime. If you are in crisis or worried someone’s life may be at risk, call 9-1-1 or visit the nearest emergency department.

On September 6, two Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) paramedics took living our CARES values to new heights by skydiving to support a Saskatchewan children’s charity.

SHA Emergency Medical Responders Jennifer Arlitt and Terri Murrell from Macklin Emergency Medical Services took part in the Jump for Charity skydiving event to support Teddy Bears Anonymous, showcasing their compassionate natures. 

Teddy Bears Anonymous gives new teddy bears to children in Saskatchewan hospitals and EMS services to bring comfort to young people during hard times.

Arlitt and Murrell joined two other Saskatchewan paramedics and four police officers for the jump. This year’s event raised more than $27,000; the largest sum of funds raised in the last three years. Macklin EMS contributed over $14,000 towards the total. 

Their efforts took our CARES values — compassion, accountability, respect, equity and safety – to new heights, literally and figuratively. 

The Saskatoon City Hospital Emergency Department (ED) will operate with adjusted hours on November 2, 2025, due to unforeseen physician unavailability. The ED will close at 3:00 p.m.

Patients requiring emergency department services after 3:00 p.m. on November 2 are advised to visit:

• Royal University Hospital Emergency Department – 103 Hospital Dr., Saskatoon
• St. Paul’s Hospital Emergency Department – 1702 20th St. W., Saskatoon

For non-emergency medical concerns:

• Call HealthLine 811 – Available 24/7 for professional health advice.
• Visit a walk-in clinic – Check local clinic hours as schedules may vary.
• Pharmacies – Able to assist with minor health needs.

The Saskatchewan Health Authority extends its gratitude to health-care staff and physicians providing essential services in both acute and community settings and appreciates the public’s understanding and cooperation during this time.

The Regina Urgent Care Centre (UCC) will be closed to the public on December 25 and 26, 2025 and January 1, 2026. These pro-active service adjustments are to accommodate physician availability, staffing holidays, and to proactively ensure the availability of services for our patients.

During times when the Regina Urgent Care Centre is not operating, patients experiencing medical emergencies should call 9-1-1 or proceed to the nearest hospital emergency department at:

• Regina General Hospital – 1440 14th Avenue, Regina; or
• Pasqua Hospital – 4101 Dewdney Avenue, Regina.

For non-emergency medical care, patients can access information and care by: 

• Calling HealthLine 811 – For professional health and mental health advice available 24/7.
• Visit a walk-in clinic – Check local clinic hours as holiday schedules may vary.
• Connect with your pharmacy – Some pharmacies may be open and can assist with minor health concerns.

The Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) would like to thank physicians and staff who provide high quality care across the province, including over statutory holidays. The SHA appreciates the public’s understanding and cooperation.