Consultant- Emergency Health Referral System

International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC)

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, with a network of 191-member National Societies (NSs). The overall aim of IFRC is “to inspire, encourage, facilitate, and promote at all times all forms of humanitarian activities by NSs with a view to preventing and alleviating human suffering and thereby contributing to the maintenance and promotion of human dignity and peace in the world.” IFRC works to meet the needs and improve the lives of vulnerable people before, during and after disasters, health emergencies and other crises. IFRC is part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement (Movement), together with its member National Societies and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). The work of IFRC is guided by the following fundamental principles: humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity, and universality. IFRC is led by its Secretary General, and has its Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. The Headquarters are organized into three main Divisions: (i) National Society Development and Operations Coordination; (ii) Global Relations, Humanitarian Diplomacy and Digitalization; and (iii) Management Policy, Strategy and Corporate Services. IFRC has five regional offices in Africa, Asia Pacific, Middle East and North Africa, Europe, and the Americas. IFRC also has country cluster delegations and country delegations throughout the world. Together, the Geneva Headquarters and the field structure (regional, cluster and country) comprise the IFRC Secretariat.

Details / requirements:

Strengthening emergency response capacity of critical hub hospital networks in the Mid- and Far- Western Development Regions of Nepal through enhanced hospital safety and their linkages with pre-hospital and post-hospital care services and the community 

WHO-HI-RED CROSS CONSORTIUM

Term of Reference (ToR) for consultancy- Emergency health referral system protocols

Summary

Purpose: Adaptation of the national health referral guidelines into coordinated district/provincial specific pre-hospital emergency referral protocols (gender and age sensitive) linked to the district health sector and hub hospital contingency plans in the four targeted districts.   

Adapt the existing National Referral guidelines into coordinated district/provincial specific pre-hospital emergency referral protocols (gender and age sensitive) linked to the district health sector and hub hospital contingency plans in the four targeted districts.   

Development of training manual for dissemination and roll out of Emergency Referral protocols to different audience.

Development of key messages/awareness raising materials and dissemination of information on emergency referral. 

  1. Audience: WHO-HI-Red Cross Consortium, Ministry of Health, other relevant government agencies, UN and other stakeholders.
  2. Commissioners: This consultancy/assignment is being commissioned by Danish Red Cross (DRC) and Nepal Red Cross Society (NRCS).
  3. Reports to: Silvia Crespo, Programme Manager DRC.
  4. Duration: 2-3 months
  5. Status: consultant
  6. Location: Kathmandu Valley with frequent visits to targeted districts (Banke, Dang, Kailali and Dadeldhura).

Background

In 2012, and in the framework of the DIPECHO funded project, the Consortium led by World Health Organization in partnership with Merlin, Handicap International (HI) and Oxfam, developed the Emergency Referral Mechanism (ERM) for Nepal.

The information collected between February and December 2012 (for the development of the protocols) allowed identifying barriers of access to efficient emergency referral in Nepal. A review of referral guidelines and forms as well as field visits allowed the identification of gaps in the system. Qualitative methods explored how patients are referred, what factors facilitate referrals and beliefs about access to health care during emergencies from both patient and health care professional’s point of view.

The current ECHO funded project, led by WHO in partnership with HI and Danish Red Cross will be adapting the national mechanism for emergency referral to the provinces/districts targeted by the project (Banke, Dang, Kailali and Dadeldhura).

Danish Red Cross/Nepal Red Cross is looking for an organization or a consultant with extensive experience in similar assignments to develop the following tasks:

Adaptation of the national health emergency referral guidelines into coordinated district/provincial specific pre-hospital emergency referral protocols (gender and age sensitive) linked to the district health sector and hub hospital contingency plans in the four targeted districts.  

Development of training manual for dissemination and roll out of Emergency Referral protocols to different audience.

Development of key messages/awareness raising materials and dissemination of information on emergency referral.

Objectives of the consultancy

To perform the tasks mentioned above in close coordination with Ministry of Health, DRC and NRCS.

Main products/ deliverables expected by the consultancy

  1. Coordinated district/provincial specific pre-hospital emergency referral protocols (gender and age sensitive) document/s in English and Nepali to be used in Nepal.
  2. User-friendly referral forms in English and Nepali to refer patients from community/local health facilities providing care to other specialized health facilities.
  3. Training manuals for dissemination and roll out of Emergency Referral protocols to different audience in English and Nepali.
  4. Facilitate one ToT on Emergency Referral protocols for representatives from different audience groups.
  5. Set of key messages/awareness raising materials on emergency referral protocols and strategy for dissemination in English and Nepali.

Duration/Timeframe of consultancy/assignment

Total: 90 working days

The specific timeframe will be agreed in joint consultation with DRC Programme Manager and NRCS.

Main tasks of the consultant:

Development of coordinated district/provincial specific pre-hospital emergency referral protocols (gender and age sensitive) linked to the district health sector and hub hospital contingency plans in the four targeted districts.

Timely and appropriate referral helps to minimize loss of life and risk of disability. This activity supports health institutions, ambulance service providers and communities to review and adapt national emergency referral guidelines into district protocol for patient referral from the place of an incident or pre-hospital health institutions to the pre-identified hospitals in target districts. Implementation of this activity involves:

  • Review of existing referral systems in Nepal and other countries and their relevance for the this assignment.
  • Consult key stakeholders at National level including Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Consortium partners, NRCS and any other relevant stakeholder for development of referral system at the local level.
  • Consultative one-day meetings in each targeted district with key stakeholders including representatives of DPHO, hospitals, PHCC, HP, ambulance service providers, LDMC, CDMC/WDMC, FCHV and local NGOs to review existing referral practices and identify gaps and ways to improve, all in line with the national referral guidelines;
  • Analysis and consolidation of results of consultative meetings;
  • Development of coordinated pre-hospital emergency referral protocol (includes guidelines and referral forms as well as the system itself) that reflects protection and specific gender and age needs e.g. pregnant women and children and;
  • Discussion and endorsement of emergency referral protocol by the district health officials (DPHO) and other key stakeholders (hospitals, pre-hospital institutions, ambulance service and communities).
  • This participatory process for development of emergency referral protocol will be facilitated by a national consultant/consultant team. 

Development of Training Manuals for dissemination and roll out of Emergency Referral protocols to different audience groups.

The consultant is expected to develop the training curricula for the dissemination and roll, out of the emergency referral protocols. This activity aims on operationalization of the  protocol through supporting development of emergency referral protocol dissemination and rollout strategy targeting different key stakeholders:2.     

  1. One-day module ToT for representatives from all groups of key stakeholders (DPHO, hospitals, pre-hospital health institutions and communities) who once trained will train their peers and lead rollout of emergency referral in the target districts.
  2. Half-day orientation module for DPHO, hospitals and PHCC and HP staff who will facilitate emergency referrals
  3. Half-day orientation module for ambulance service providers
  4. Half-day orientation module for FCHV, security forces, NRCS and representatives of LDMC, CDMC/WDMC from most disaster and hazard prone municipalities and wards who will facilitate referrals in their communities.  

Lead the facilitation of one ToT on Emergency Referral protocols for representatives from different audience groups.

The consultant will lead the first ToT training, with NRCS and DRC support.

Develop a set of key messages/awareness raising materials on emergency referral protocols and a strategy for dissemination.

Key messages and awareness raising materials will consider information on referral procedures, contacts of ambulance service and health institutions and needs of specific groups like pregnant women, children, elderly, people with censorial impairment. Prior to reach the communities, appropriate and effective strategy for communication (radio, newspapers, info in public places, meeting and trainings organised by communities, other NGOs etc.) will be finalized after thorough discussions with community members.

Qualifications/Competences/Experience of consultant or team:

  • Paramedic, doctor or nurse with post-graduate studies or qualified medical professional with post-graduate qualifications in hospital administration, public administration, management/public health.
  • Experience working in close liaison with MOHP.
  • Experience in developing medical protocols, guidelines and/or referral documents in the
  • context of Nepal or in the region.
  • Comprehensive understanding of hospitals and rehabilitation service providers in Nepal, and preferable in Midwest and Far West districts.
  • Excellent English written communications skills.
  • Experience of working with UN and INGOs.
  • Comprehensive understanding of and experience in Disaster Risk Reduction and health
  • management systems.
  • Excellent communication, work-planning and time management skills.
  • Advanced skills in MS Office.
  • Demonstrated experience in facilitating trainings, workshops and other capacity building initiatives 

Application Procedures

Interested candidates/firms should submit their application material by 7th of December 2017 to the following e-mail: Abhinav.Sharma@ifrc.org

Please put Application for “ Consultancy- Emergency Health Referral System Protocols Development/Adaptation” in the subject heading. Application materials are non-returnable and only short listed candidates will be contacted for the next step in the application process. 

Application materials should include:

  1. Curricula Vitae (CV) including three professional references
  2. Cover Letter clearly summarizing your experience as it pertains to this consultancy/assignment, your monthly rate, and three professional references.

Overview

Category Consulting & Professional Services
Openings 1
Experience Please check vacancy details.
Education Please check vacancy details
Posted Date 23 Nov, 2017
Apply Before 07 Dec, 2017
City Kathmandu