The province of Saskatchewan is detailing some of the latest accomplishments for surgeries, with some promising statistics being provided by the Saskatchewan Health Authority.
According to the latest data, there were 100,406 surgeries and procedures performed between April 1, 2024, and March 31, 2025. The province's health system also managed to achieve its goal of completing 90 per cent of surgeries within eight months, with nearly 92 per cent completed within that timeframe.
“Saskatchewan’s health care system is delivering on the commitment to improve access to surgical care through investments and setting aggressive targets,” said Health Minister Jeremy Cockrill. “Annual budget investments have helped to stabilize system capacity and lay the groundwork for even greater progress in the years ahead. The surgical program is now well-positioned to achieve a six-month wait time target for most surgeries set for 2025–26. We are thankful to our surgical teams for their hard work and dedication to benefit patients.”
In an effort to improve the experience for long-term patients, the province says that they've nearly eliminated the list for patients waiting longer than 24 months for their procedures. As well, the province has decreased the number of people waiting longer than 12 months by 24 per cent over the past year.
The province plans to increase surgical volumes in the next four years, helped by commitments in the 2025-26 budget that go towards surgery volumes and capacity, expand Saskatchewan's robot-assisted surgery program, and support coordination for surgical enhancements related to back surgery. The province hopes to deliver 450,000 surgeries over their four-year plan.
“As we continue to advance surgical care in Saskatchewan, we are focused on improving access and reducing wait times, all while maintaining the highest standards of quality,” said Saskatchewan Health Authority Provincial Head of Surgery Dr. Michael Kelly. “This progress is made possible by the exceptional commitment of our health care providers and physicians who work tirelessly every day to provide timely, high-quality care to patients across the province.”
The province says that booking for surgeries also continues to rise, having risen four per cent annually since 2022–23, up from 1.5 per cent before the pandemic.
"By streamlining processes and focusing on patient-centered care, we have improved access and reduced the length of time all patients must wait for surgery,” said SHA Chief Operating Officer Derek Miller. “These enhancements are helping patients get the care they need sooner and strengthening the surgical system for the future."
The province is also prioritizing recruitment and retention for surgical teams and other healthcare positions.