The provincial government of Newfoundland and Labrador (NL) in Canada has issued a request for proposals (RFP) for a single, integrated road and air ambulance service in the province.

Through the RFP, the government is looking for a proponent to design, manage, and operate the integrated ambulance service to further advance the province’s health care system.

On behalf of the provincial health authority, the selected proponent will manage the programme, staff, and budget.

It will also ensure efficient operations as part of the contract.

Newfoundland and Labrador Minister of Health and Community Services Tom Osborne said: “This integration is a significant undertaking and the right move for the government, for people who rely on ambulance services, and for the people providing the services.

“This is all a part of our plan to make ambulance services better for residents and everyone involved. Improved wages and benefits will lead to a greater retention of ambulance staff under the new system and we look forward to seeing the new service begin in 2024.”

In addition, the successful proponent is required to offer employment in available positions to any impacted Department of Transportation and Infrastructure air services employees identified by the Provincial Government.

Submissions for the RFP are due in early 2024.

The proponent will be responsible for providing clinical and operational management staff, and managing the dispatch for all emergency calls, routine medical transfers, and non-medical transfers through the common ambulance system.

It will also manage the road ambulance base infrastructure and adopt a ten-year strategy to upskill and transition the paramedicine workforce to a minimum of Primary Care Paramedic certification.

By working with the government and NL Health Services, the proponent will implement a long-term plan to develop a helicopter emergency medical service in the province.