As part of the province wide Health System Transformation, regional Emergency Response Services (ERS) were brought together under Shared Health to form a single provincial service. The Transform ERS project was launched to lay the foundation for strategic system realignment and improved patient care, integrating Primary/911 response, inter-facility transport (IFT), Emergency and Continuity Management (ECM), and System Navigation Consultation services into a centrally coordinated and optimized ERS program.
Realignment of inter-facility transports has identified the need for a low acuity inter-facility transport service to provide transport services for clients who are being transported between health care facilities to receive diagnostic services, care or treatment. To assist with this work, Shared Health is requesting proposals for the provision of Low Acuity Inter-Facility Transfer (LAIFT) services in the Province of Manitoba.
Since ambulance service was introduced in rural and northern Manitoba, decades ago, ambulances have been routinely used to complete all IFTs, primarily because IFT clients often need the benefit and comfort of being transported on a stretcher, however, low acuity transport clients do not require any clinical care provided by the attending paramedic crew.
The addition of a LAIFT solution will enable ambulances to be available for primary / 911 response as well as high acuity IFTs where their skills are most beneficial to the system. LAIFT services will transport clients within Typical Operational Areas (TOAs) and from time to time between TOAs, based on where the client needs to access health care service.
Initially, the LAIFT will be established in three (3) TOAs (Brandon, Selkirk and Winkler), with the intention of adding additional service areas in the future, as a province wide LAIFT solution.
It is the intent of Shared Health to enter into a one (1) year Agreement with ideally one (1) successful proponent for all of the TOAs identified in this RFP, however, proponents will be able to submit proposals for one (1) or more of the TOAs.
If the proponent(s) agrees at the time of submission, there may be the option to extend the awarded Agreement(s) for an additional term anticipated to expire September 30, 2025. The option to exercise this extension will be at the sole discretion of the Purchaser, and is subject to required budgetary and program approvals.
