Best Children's Hospitals In Saskatchewan

June 22, 2025

When your child is sick, every second counts — and every decision matters. Whether it’s a midnight dash to the emergency room, long-term care for a chronic condition, or simply finding the right pediatric specialist, parents want to feel confident they’re making the best possible choices for their child’s health.

That’s why we’ve carefully researched and verified the most reputable children’s hospitals, urgent care centres, and specialized pediatric programs across Saskatchewan. From the Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital in Saskatoon to respected child health services in Regina, Prince Albert, Moose Jaw, and beyond, this guide brings together credible, up-to-date information to support families at every stage of care.

Whether you’re a longtime Saskatchewan resident or new to the province, you’ll find everything you need here to navigate Saskatchewan’s child-focused healthcare system with clarity, trust, and peace of mind.

Top-Rated Children’s Hospitals in Saskatchewan (At a Glance)

City	Facility Name	Type of Care	Key Services
Saskatoon	Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital	Full-Service Pediatric & Maternal Hospital	NICU & PICU, pediatric surgery, emergency, oncology, cardiology, mental health, telehealth
Regina	Regina General Hospital – Children’s Services	Pediatric Inpatient & Outpatient Unit	Pediatric ward, neonatal intensive care, pediatric emergency, specialized clinics (diabetes, GI)
Prince Albert	Victoria Hospital – Pediatrics Department	General Pediatric Care	Pediatric ER, inpatient pediatrics, general consults, outreach from Saskatoon
Moose Jaw	Dr. F.H. Wigmore Regional Hospital	Regional Child Health Services	Pediatric outpatient care, developmental assessments, speech therapy
Yorkton	Yorkton Regional Health Centre – Pediatric Unit	Regional Pediatric Support	Child wellness checks, minor pediatric emergencies, immunization programs
North Battleford	Battlefords Union Hospital – Child Health Services	Pediatric & Family Health	Newborn and child care, outpatient pediatric consults, public health support
Swift Current	Cypress Regional Hospital – Child Health Services	Pediatric & Maternity Services	Infant and child health, outpatient pediatric follow-up, early childhood programs
Lloydminster	Lloydminster Hospital – Pediatric Services	Pediatric & Family Health	Newborn care, minor child emergencies, referrals to Saskatoon for specialized treatment

Specialized Pediatric Services Available in Saskatchewan

1. Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital (Saskatoon)

Saskatchewan’s flagship children’s hospital, located in Saskatoon, provides the highest level of pediatric care in the province. This facility was purpose-built just for kids, and every detail—from private rooms to child life programming—was designed with comfort and healing in mind.

What makes it special?

24/7 Pediatric Emergency Department — Only one of its kind in the province.
NICU & PICU — Intensive care for critically ill newborns and children.
85+ pediatric specialists across areas like neurology, cardiology, surgery, oncology, diabetes, and more.
Surgical suites just for children — less scary, more child-sensitive.
Child Life Zone — A therapeutic play space with games, art, and music that helps kids cope with hospital stress.

2. Developmental & Neurodevelopmental Services

If your child struggles with delays in walking, speech, attention, or learning, Saskatchewan offers access to specialized developmental assessments and therapies.

Available services include:

Autism evaluations
ADHD and behavioural assessments
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) clinics
Speech, language, and occupational therapy
Assistive tech consultations for learning and mobility

Locations:

Saskatoon & Regina offer the widest range.
Smaller centers (Prince Albert, Swift Current, Yorkton) provide outreach clinics or virtual sessions.
Wascana Rehabilitation Centre (Regina) and Kinsmen Children’s Centre (Saskatoon) offer multidisciplinary care for children with disabilities.

3. Complex Care Programs for Medically Fragile Kids

Some children need care from multiple specialists over time. Saskatchewan’s Complex Pediatric Care teams help families manage chronic illnesses like epilepsy, cystic fibrosis, Type 1 diabetes, and congenital heart disease.

What they provide:

Coordinated treatment plans
A single point of contact for multiple appointments
Care navigators who help schedule tests, medications, and home supports
Access to pediatric dietitians, pharmacists, and mental health professionals

These programs are based at JPCH in Saskatoon and Regina General Hospital, with telehealth support for remote areas.

4. Child-Focused Mental Health Services

Mental health is just as important as physical health. Saskatchewan offers pediatric mental health support across urban and rural areas, including:

Child psychiatrists & psychologists (in Saskatoon, Regina, Prince Albert)
Child & Youth Mental Health Services (free provincial program for anxiety, trauma, mood disorders)
School-based counselling and crisis outreach teams
Family therapy and trauma-informed care, especially for foster and Indigenous families

Many hospitals also have social workers and mental health nurses available to help with emotional and behavioral issues during medical care.

Also see Best Children's Hospitals In Alberta

5. Emergency and Specialized Transport

Not all communities have access to advanced pediatric care—but no matter where you live, your child can get to it fast.

Saskatchewan’s Pediatric Critical Care Transport Team includes:

Mobile neonatal and pediatric ICU teams
Air and ground transfer units staffed by specially trained nurses and paramedics
Telehealth consultations during emergencies

This ensures kids in remote areas—from La Ronge to Lloydminster—can still receive lifesaving care without delay.

6. Rural & Regional Pediatric Services

Many families in Saskatchewan live outside the big cities. That’s why the province offers community-based pediatric care, including:

Pediatricians in regional hospitals (Yorkton, Moose Jaw, North Battleford, Swift Current, etc.)
Infant development programs for babies 0–3
Child wellness clinics with public health nurses
School health programs, immunizations, and developmental screenings

These local services often work in collaboration with bigger centers like Saskatoon or Regina for referrals or telehealth follow-ups.

7. Culturally Safe & Indigenous Pediatric Services

Healthcare must be respectful of every family’s background. Saskatchewan offers Indigenous Health & Healing Programs to support First Nations and Métis children.

These include:

Traditional wellness supports (Elders, smudging, ceremony)
Indigenous family support workers in hospitals
Cultural interpreters and land-based therapy programs
Trauma-informed care for residential school survivors and foster children

Major hospitals like JPCH, Victoria Hospital (Prince Albert), and Regina General have dedicated Indigenous health teams to provide this care.

How to Choose the Right Hospital for Your Child

Choosing the right hospital for your child can feel overwhelming—especially when your child is sick or needs specialized care. As parents or caregivers, we all want the same thing: a place that’s safe, trusted, and truly understands children.

Here’s what can help you make a confident choice:

1. Look for Child-Focused Care

Not every hospital is designed with children in mind. Pediatric hospitals or units often have staff trained specifically to care for babies, children, and teens. Look for places with a dedicated children’s emergency department, pediatric specialists, and child-friendly spaces. These environments aren’t just more comfortable—they’re often better at handling kids’ unique medical needs.

2. Consider the Hospital’s Experience

Does the hospital treat the condition your child has often? Some centers specialize in things like childhood cancer, asthma, diabetes, or rare disorders. Ask how often they treat children with similar issues, and don’t be afraid to request data or success stories.

3. Think Beyond Medicine

A great children’s hospital also supports emotional care. Look for hospitals that offer things like child life specialists (who help kids cope through play and understanding), family lounges, and even school support for longer stays.

4. Location Matters

While the best care is important, so is being close to home—especially for follow-up visits. Some major hospitals have outreach clinics in smaller cities, so ask what’s available nearby or if virtual visits are possible.

5. Ask Other Parents

Nothing beats real-life stories. Ask your doctor, talk to other parents, or read online reviews. You’ll often get honest insights about things like wait times, bedside manners, or how well families are treated.

6. Insurance & Health Benefits

Make sure the hospital is covered under your provincial health plan (like Alberta Health Care) or additional benefit programs like the Saskatchewan Child Health Benefit if you're eligible.

Trust your instincts. You know your child best. The right hospital should feel like a place where your child is seen—not just as a patient, but as a person.

If you’re unsure, speak with your family doctor or pediatrician. They can guide you toward hospitals and specialists that suit your child's exact needs.

What is the Saskatchewan child health Benefit Program?

Saskatchewan Child Health Benefit supports, designed to help parents and families understand the programs available:

Children’s Drug Plan

What it is:
A provincial prescription program that caps medication costs for kids aged 0–14 at $25 per prescription.

Why it matters:
This helps families avoid high out-of-pocket costs when managing chronic illnesses like asthma or diabetes.

How it works:

Available automatically for all children 14 and under (saskatchewan.ca).
Your pharmacist applies coverage directly—no forms needed.
If your child’s medication already costs less, you pay the lower price.
Not available if your child has federal coverage (e.g., through First Nations or military) .

Also see Best Children's Hospitals In Alberta

Family Health Benefits (FHB)

What it is:
Income-tested health support for low-income families, covering both children and parents, with an emphasis on preventive and urgent needs .

For children under 18:

Dental care (basic dentistry, cleanings, sealants)
Yearly eye exams & basic glasses
Emergency ambulance coverage
Medical supplies (e.g., orthotics, bandages)
Prescriptions listed in the Saskatchewan formulary

For parents:

Eyeglasses every two years
Prescription drug coverage, with a $100 deductible and 35% co-pay

Who can apply:

Families whose income qualifies under Saskatchewan Employment Supplement or equivalent
Apply through the Ministry of Social Services (call 1‑888‑488‑6385 or 306‑787‑4723)

Source: (saskatchewan.ca)

Public Health & Other Supports

Saskatchewan’s public health system also offers:

Child Health Clinics: Monitoring growth, development, nutrition, and maternal mental health at milestone ages (2, 4, 6, 12, 18 months and 4 years) (saskatchewan.ca)
Childhood Immunization Programs: Free vaccines via clinics, schools, and outreach sites (saskatchewan.ca)
Hearing Health Services: Audiology testing and referrals for kids up to 18 (saskatchewan.ca)

Summary Table

Program	Age/Eligibility	Coverage & Benefits
Children’s Drug Plan	All children aged 0–14	Max $25 per covered prescription; no additional paperwork (saskatchewan.ca)
Family Health Benefits	Low‑income families with kids <18	Dental, eyeglasses, ambulance, supplies, prescriptions
Public Health Services	All Saskatchewan children	Immunizations, developmental screening, hearing testing

Helpful Resources & Support Networks for Parents in Saskatchewan

When you’re caring for a child—especially one with health, developmental, or behavioral needs—it’s easy to feel overwhelmed or alone. Fortunately, Saskatchewan has a strong network of resources that offer emotional support, education, advocacy, and connection to services that really make a difference.

1. Early Childhood Intervention Program (ECIP)

Who it’s for: Parents of children from birth to age six with developmental delays or disabilities.

What it offers:

Home visits by early childhood specialists
Developmental screening & personalized goal setting
Help accessing therapy (speech, OT, PT)
Parent coaching and emotional support

🧭 Find your local ECIP

2. Autism Services of Saskatchewan (Saskatoon & Regina)

Who it’s for: Families with children diagnosed or awaiting diagnosis on the autism spectrum.

What it offers:

Autism-specific counselling, therapy programs, & group activities
Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) and life skills training
Peer support groups for parents & siblings
Summer day camps and inclusive recreational programs

Saskatoon Autism Services | Regina Autism Resource Centre

3. Family-Centred Care at Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital (JPCH)

Who it’s for: Families receiving inpatient or outpatient care at JPCH.

What it offers:

Family Resource Centre with education, computers, and a quiet lounge
Child Life specialists to help your child cope with hospital visits
Spiritual care & Indigenous support teams
Ronald McDonald House accommodations just steps away for out-of-town families

Family Support at JPCH

4. Parent Support Groups & Helplines

HealthLine 811 (24/7 nursing & mental health help)

Speak directly to a registered nurse or mental health worker
Great for urgent, non-emergency health concerns
🧭 About HealthLine 811

SK Parent Support Group Directory

Peer-to-peer support for parents of children with autism, ADHD, rare disorders, chronic illness, and more.
In-person and virtual options across Saskatoon, Regina, and northern regions.
Saskatchewan Common Parent Support Groups (PDF)

5. Financial Support Programs for Families

Saskatchewan Aids to Independent Living (SAIL): Helps cover mobility aids, orthotics, or medical supplies for kids with physical disabilities.
Family Health Benefits Program: For low-income families needing drug coverage, dental care, and eye exams for children.
Disability Tax Credit: Can reduce the financial burden of ongoing therapy or treatments.

Government of SK Disability Support

6. Mental Health & Parenting Support

Child & Youth Mental Health Services: Free counselling for children and youth through Saskatchewan Health Authority (referral often needed).
Kids Help Phone: Children aged 5–20 can call or text for confidential support 24/7.
Parenting Programs: Triple P (Positive Parenting Program), Nobody’s Perfect, and Teen & Tots classes are available in local public health offices or early years centers.

Kids Help Phone – 1‑800‑668‑6868 or text CONNECT to 686868

7. Indigenous-Focused Family Services

For First Nations, Métis, and Inuit families:

Cultural Navigators available in hospitals
Access to Elders, traditional medicine, smudging, and healing circles
Support from Indigenous Health Services at RUH, Regina General, and JPCH

Saskatchewan Indigenous Health Services