REGINA – Sweeping changes to health care delivery are saving $125 million, according to the Saskatchewan government.
The savings is being attributed to Lean methods in the province’s health regions dating back to 2008.
Among the largest savings was $34 million in the Five Hills Health Region, mostly due to Lean and 3P initiatives at the new Moose Jaw hospital. $33.6 million is the projected savings in the Saskatoon Health Region, with the bulk of it tied to savings at the new Children’s Hospital.
The numbers come a few months after criticisms that health regions couldn’t adequately prove that Lean was saving money, with savings as low as $131.26 reported in the Prince Albert Parkland Health Region.
At the time, Premier Brad Wall said Lean had been saving money, but health regions needed to start reporting it in a single list. Health Minister Dustin Duncan confirmed that Monday.
“One of the biggest things that has changed is the chief financial officer (CFO) from every health region has signed off on these numbers. I think that gives the public a level of comfort,” Duncan said. “A CFO is not going to sign off on numbers unless they believe them.”
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Other efficiencies reported include a blood product savings project ($50.3 million) that began in 2008., but the initiative was led by Canadian Blood Services.
Lean has been heavily criticized by the Opposition NDP. In late December 2014, the government announced it was terminating its $40-million contract with Lean consultant, John Black and Associates (JBA) at the end of March 2015. JBA provided “Lean leader certification” and other training services to health staff across Saskatchewan.
An NDP spokesperson said Monday the savings are “misleading” because they include money saved prior to the JBA contract and future savings.
SEE BELOW: Lean savings reported by the Saskatchewan government as of February 2015
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