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. 

The Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) is implementing an updated emergency service disruption process to provide accurate, reliable information about the availability of emergency services across the province. Starting in early November, all emergency service disruptions, regardless of their length, will be posted publicly on the SHA website, with updates occurring daily at 4:00 p.m., seven days a week.

“The SHA is committed to providing patients, families and communities with reliable and accurate information about the availability of emergency services, and we acknowledge frustrations from patients and communities about our current reporting process” said Derek Miller, Chief Operating Officer of the SHA. “These changes will ensure that accurate and reliable information about service availability will be consistently available to the public while our teams work to restore emergency services impacted by temporary disruptions.”

The SHA makes every effort to maintain emergency services by securing staff and physician coverage wherever possible. Temporary disruptions are only implemented as a last resort and may be caused by staff or physician vacancies, unplanned absences, scheduled vacations, or facility and equipment upgrades.

Once activated in early November, the SHA’s new service disruption reporting process will provide patients with an alphabetical listing of all SHA facilities experiencing disruptions to emergency services, updated daily at 4:00 pm. Currently, the SHA posts service disruptions of seven days or more. Disruptions to emergency services will also be reflected on individual Facility & Location pages on the SHA’s website. To support this updated process, the SHA has implemented several internal process improvements to improve accuracy of reported data and provide enhanced support to SHA team members who are reporting local service disruptions. 

As changes to services availability can occur on short notice, not all disruptions may appear on the service disruption web page immediately. When this happens, signage is posted at the affected facility, and the information will be reflected in the next daily update. Healthline 811, operated by the SHA, will have real-time information regarding the availability of emergency services across the province. Patients and residents are able to call Healthline 811 at any time for advice regarding service availability, or for health guidance from Registered Nurses and other qualified health professionals. Following implementation of this updated process, the SHA will be continuing system improvements with a goal of providing real-time, public updates regarding the status of emergency service disruptions. 

The SHA remains committed to providing patients, families, and communities with clear and timely information about emergency care. To strengthen emergency services in rural and remote areas, the SHA has implemented several initiatives, including the Virtual Physician Program, Point-of-Care Testing, and ongoing health-care human resource strategies.

In any life-threatening emergency, always call 9-1-1. Paramedics will assess, treat, and transport patients to the nearest available site for further medical attention.

The Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) is issuing a public notification regarding a potential risk of exposure to Hepatitis A due to a food service employee at McDonald’s, located at 1803 50th Avenue, Lloydminster, Saskatchewan.

The SHA is conducting a thorough investigation and follow-up regarding a case of Hepatitis A involving a food handler who participated in food and drink preparation and handling of utensils at the aforementioned McDonald’s location.

The dates of potential exposure for customers of this restaurant are: 

Anyone who may have eaten at this restaurant (whether dining in, taking out, or having food delivered) during the dates listed above is advised to do the following:

• Contact HealthLine 811 to be assessed and determine if they are eligible to receive protective vaccination against Hepatitis A from their local Public Health Services,
• In Lloydminster, call Public Health at 306-820-6225
• Monitor for symptoms of Hepatitis A for up to 50 days after your last exposure.

Hepatitis A is a liver infection caused by a virus that is spread from person to person. Symptoms may include fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, light-coloured stool, fatigue, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, and jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes).

The risk of transmission is very low; however, the possibility of transmission still exists.

To be eligible for Hepatitis A vaccination, no more than 14 days have passed since the most recent meal at this restaurant, and you have not had a Hepatitis A vaccine in the past. Based on the dates of potential exposure, the last day for vaccination is November 2, 2025. More information on the vaccine and Hepatitis A, can be found here.

The Inpatient Mental Health Unit at the Regina General Hospital has unveiled a new “Welcome” sign in 40 different languages.

Reflecting our CARES values of Compassion, Accountability, Respect, Equity and Safety, the sign features 40 different languages. This initiative was championed by a staff member and was made possible through the generous support of Ian Moats and Sticks & Doodles, who covered the cost and helped turn this idea into reality. 

This visual addition underscores our commitment to creating spaces that mirror the diversity, kindness and love from our communities. The hope is that everyone who steps inside feels seen, welcome and cared for, regardless of their background or language. 

The SHA remains committed to ensuring that mental health care environments foster inclusion, connection and dignity.