Saskatchewan Health Authority announces administrative restructuring, changes to strengthen point of care leadership across Saskatchewan

The Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) has implemented a series of leadership changes aimed at directing more resources to the point of care, strengthening provincial alignment, and improving financial stewardship. These changes include a restructuring of administrative leadership roles that has generated $10.4 million in efficiencies, the addition of 27 new and 20 enhanced Clinical Manager positions in 45 rural and northern communities, and the introduction of a new model for senior physician leadership.

"I commend the Saskatchewan Health Authority for this review and the well-considered steps to better use resources, strengthen local leadership, and provide stronger support to health teams and communities," Health Minister Jeremy Cockrill said. "These changes are an important part of the province’s work to build a more efficient and integrated health system—one that puts patients first and ensures our health-care professionals have the support they need to deliver the best possible care."

Administrative restructuring to support point of care investment

Following a comprehensive review of its out-of-scope leadership and administrative structure, the SHA has identified $10.4 million in annual administrative efficiencies. Of this total, $6.2 million will be redirected to support patient care priorities across the health system, and $4.2 million will be reinvested to enhance local clinical leadership in rural and northern communities. There is no reduction to in-scope positions as part of this restructuring.

“This work reflects our commitment to building a leadership structure that is sustainable, integrated, and focused on meeting the needs of patients, health teams and communities,” said SHA CEO Andrew Will. “These changes allow us to reinvest directly into areas that support the delivery of high-quality care while strengthening leadership where it is needed most: at the point of care.”

In total, the restructuring has resulted in the reduction of 26 senior out-of-scope leadership positions, along with reductions in other out-of-scope corporate, management, and support roles. This effort builds on earlier work to streamline leadership following the amalgamation of the province’s former Regional Health Authorities, which initially generated $9.7 million in annual efficiencies.

Enhancing local clinical leadership in 45 communities

As part of the $4.2 million reinvestment, the SHA will introduce 27 new and 20 enhanced Clinical Manager positions across 45 rural and northern communities. This work is aimed at increasing on-site leadership presence, improving manager-to-staff ratios, and ensuring more dedicated oversight of individual facilities.

The enhancements include:

• Adding 14 new, full-time on-site Clinical Managers for multi-service facilities
• Adding 9 new, full-time on-site Clinical Managers where individuals were responsible for overseeing multiple locations
• Creating 4 on-site Clinical Managers based in rural communities to provide oversight of professional practice, education, and resources within designated Health Networks
• Transitioning existing part-time roles to full or near full-time positions in 20 communities to enhance on-site Clinical Manager leadership capacity and presence

“Stronger local leadership means our staff have better access to their manager, our teams are better supported, and our communities benefit from more consistent, accountable oversight at the facility level,” said Derek Miller, SHA Chief Operating Officer. “This is about ensuring our leadership structure supports the realities of care delivery on the ground.”

All new and enhanced Clinical Managers will be on-site at health facilities, improving visibility, leadership accountability, and clinical staff access to local management. These changes are expected to strengthen the continuity of care, enable consistent implementation of standards, and support improved staff retention.

Implementation will begin in summer 2025, with full deployment targeted for completion in the fall.

Changes to senior physician leadership structure

In parallel with these administrative changes, the SHA undertook a separate review of the current senior physician leadership structure. This review identified opportunities to improve role clarity, strengthen physician connection to operational leadership and decision-making, and reinforce accountability for quality, safety, and service delivery across the health system.

To advance these opportunities, SHA is introducing a new physician leadership model, establishing six Deputy Chief Medical Officers (DCMOs), who will report to the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) and provide co-leadership alongside Vice Presidents. This model will replace the current senior physician leadership structure. The new model also includes revised accountabilities for the CMO position, which will now focus primarily on physician leadership, working closely with the Chief Operating Officer to lead physician engagement and involvement in operational leadership.

“The new physician leadership structure is focused on strengthening connections between clinical and operational decision-making,” said Dr. Jordan Wingate, SHA Interim CMO. “This model is designed to improve accountability and role clarity, increase physician engagement, and strengthen operational integration.”

Recruitment for the six DCMO positions will begin May 23, with the new roles taking effect July 14. The recruitment process will be transparent and led by the Interim Chief Medical Officer, with participation from the Saskatchewan Medical Association and the College of Medicine. There are no changes at this time to other physician leadership roles, including Provincial Department Heads, Area Chiefs of Staff, or Medical Directors.

The SHA remains committed to implementing changes to both the out-of-scope administrative and senior physician leadership structures in a thoughtful and respectful manner. This work is part of ongoing efforts to build a more integrated and sustainable health system to support the over 45,000 health professionals and over 2,700 physicians providing high-quality care for the people of Saskatchewan.

Community Background:

Clinical Manager positions will be enhanced in the following communities:

Arborfield, Assiniboia, Biggar, Birch Hills, Cabri, Canwood, Carrot River, Coronach, Craik, Dinsmore, Edam, Elrose, Filmore, Goodsoil, Gull Lake, Hafford, Imperial, Invermay, Kelvington, Kindersley, Kinistino, Kyle, Lafleche, Lampman, Leask, Leoville, Loon Lake, Maple Creek, Midale, Montmartre, Nokomis, Outlook, Prince Albert, Redvers, Rockglen, Rosetown, Shaunavon, St. Brieux, Stoughton, Swift Current, Theodore, Tisdale, Wawota, Whitewood, Wolseley.