November 2, 2012
Contract for Ambulance Program Review Awarded
In an effort to further enhance the Provincial Ambulance Program, the Provincial Government is moving forward with an independent operational review to examine how the program works and where efficiencies can be found. A contract valued at $250,000 has been awarded to the Fitch-Helleur partnership to carry out the review. The Honourable Susan Sullivan, Minister of Health and Community Services, is also correcting incorrect and inflammatory comments by the New Democratic Party.
“I am pleased that we are able to move forward with this review so we can have a thorough assessment and operational review of the ambulance services that are provided throughout Newfoundland and Labrador,” said Minister Sullivan. “This review is designed to examine operational policies and not patient care policies. Contrary to the NDP’s Transportation and Works Critic’s assertions, the review’s outcome would have no impact on the unfortunate event that occurred this past September. These are completely separate issues. I find Mr. Murphy’s comments to be disrespectful to the family and ignorant to the intentions of the operational review. His statement does little more than act as political grandstanding at the expense of a family’s grief.”
The review will look at the three ambulance programs utilized in the province - road ambulances and fixed wing and rotary air ambulance services. This review will not reevaluate or duplicate the 2010 fixed wing program review to determine the placement of the air ambulance services.
Consultations will be carried out with provincial stakeholders including officials with the Department of Health and Community Services, Government Air Services, regional health authorities, Service NL, Occupational Health and Safety, ambulance operators and fixed and rotary wing aircraft providers. The dates for the consultations will be determined at a later date.
This review will have the following seven deliverables:
- Analyze the ambulance programs’ established standards, such as response time, and performance delivery criteria when compared to best practices and standards in other jurisdictions;
- Review the ambulance programs’ governance structure including roles and responsibilities;
- Based on current and predicted ambulance demand, review and make recommendations to the road ambulance program’s operational delivery model;
- Identify and make recommendations regarding ambulance staffing strategies that correspond to potential changes to program standards and the operational delivery model;
- Identify ambulance technology and information systems that can improve performance monitoring and aid in service delivery;
- Analyze and make recommendations on the integration of the existing fixed and rotary wing ambulance programs with the road ambulance program to more effectively and efficiently transfer patients around the province; and,
- If program changes are recommended, outline an implementation strategy to move from the current to the proposed new program.
The Fitch-Helleur partnership is made up of Fitch and Associates from Plattsville, Missouri, USA, and Jane Helleur and Associates a management consulting firm based in St. John’s. Fitch and Associates is considered by many emergency management officials to be the leading ambulance and emergency services consulting firm in North America with 25 years experience and expertise in all areas of the review. The company has worked in most Canadian provinces and is currently completing a similar operational review in Manitoba.
“It is our government’s responsibility to ensure we deliver the best possible service to all residents of our province, while also ensuring we get the most out of every dollar we spend,” said Minister Sullivan. “While this review is ongoing, we will continue to offer quality reliable ambulance services to residents. We know there are efficiencies to be found within the Provincial Ambulance Program and this review will ensure patients receive the best possible care as effectively and efficiently as possible.”
- 30 -
Media contact:
Jennifer Tulk
Director of Communications
Department of Health and Community Services
709-729-1377, 699-6524
JenniferTulk@gov.nl.ca
2012 11 02 2:25 p.m.