The Saskatchewan Health Authority is moving forward with taking over the long-term care operations at all Extendicare facilities in the province. 

On Thursday, it was announced that the SHA and Extendicare Canada agreed in principle to transfer operations for all five Extendicare special care homes to the SHA effective Oct. 9. 

Extendicare has locations in Moose Jaw, Saskatoon and three in Regina. The five homes have about 550 long-term care spaces in total. Moose Jaw’s Extendicare facility has about 110 long-term beds.   

In the press release, the SHA says “this has been a complex process involving the transition of staff, an assessment of assets and ensuring financial, human resource and supply chain processes are in place to support stability and continuity of services up to and after the transition date of Oct. 9, 2022.” 

The SHA did confirm that it will assume responsibility for the collective bargaining agreement and unionized employees as of the transition date. Offers of employment will be made to non-unionized Extendicare employees to transfer to the SHA. 

The SHA says its goal is to ensure a smooth transition with few changes for the residents. 

No other details about the agreement were released as the overall agreement still needs to be finalized.