A Partnership for Transforming Healthcare Systems in Manitoba

Rebbeck and Manitoba Health: Redesigning Healthcare Systems for Lasting Impact

Since 2020, Rebbeck has partnered with Manitoba Health, Seniors, and Long-Term Care (MHSLTC) to address persistent issues in planning, funding, and performance monitoring. The collaboration focused on developing a healthcare system that is more responsive, equitable, and financially sustainable while meeting the growing demands of Manitobans.

The Challenge: A System Under Pressure

By 2020, Manitoba’s healthcare system faced mounting challenges:

• • Reactive Financial Management: Budgets were disconnected from actual population needs, making financial planning unpredictable.
  • Fragmented Planning: Service Delivery Organisations (SDOs) operated in silos, resulting in misaligned strategies and inefficiencies.
  • Limited Accountability: Weak performance mechanisms allowed poor outcomes to persist unchecked.
  • A Focus on Administration Over Leadership: Decision-making processes prioritised bureaucracy over proactive, strategic leadership.

The COVID-19 pandemic added further strain, delaying essential reforms and exposing vulnerabilities in the system’s capacity to adapt.

How Rebbeck Helped: Implementing the CAM Framework

To address these challenges, Rebbeck co-designed the Commissioning and Accountability Management (CAM) framework with MHSLTC. This phased approach introduced new tools, processes, and structures to enhance focus, transparency, and collaboration across the healthcare system.

1. Foundation Building:

• • Developed a province-wide strategy to align SDO activities with government priorities.
  • Introduced planning tools and financial frameworks to link resources to outcomes.
  • Provided clear planning guidance to set roles and expectations across the system.

2. Embedding Accountability:

• • Launched performance bilaterals, structured review meetings between MHSLTC and SDO leaders, to:
    • Address system challenges.
    • Discuss progress against objectives.
    • Agree on practical, measurable improvements.
  • Built trust and strengthened collaboration among stakeholders.

3. Driving Advanced Implementation:

• • Rolled out a needs-based Fiscal Allocation Model, ensuring funding distribution reflected population demands and reduced disparities.
  • Designed and implemented a structured business case appraisal process for investment decisions.
  • Supported the creation of a Provincial Chief Medical Officer (CMO) position to enhance clinical oversight and integrate planning with patient outcomes.

Key Outcomes: A Smarter, More Effective Healthcare System

The introduction of the CAM framework has delivered tangible improvements:

• • Enhanced Planning: Unified processes now ensure alignment between provincial goals and SDO initiatives, strengthening relationships and reducing redundancy.
  • Accountability and Transparency: Performance bilaterals enable MHSLTC to hold SDOs accountable for achieving patient-focused outcomes.
  • Fairer Funding: The Fiscal Allocation Model has made funding allocations more equitable and efficient, reducing reliance on emergency financial interventions.
  • Empowered Leadership: Focused training and development initiatives have equipped leaders with the skills and confidence to drive change effectively.

What’s Next for Manitoba Health?

As Rebbeck steps back, MHSLTC is well-positioned to take full ownership of the new processes. However, there are ongoing priorities to address:

• • Sustaining Improvement: MHSLTC will need to continuously refine planning and performance monitoring practices to stay ahead of evolving healthcare demands.
  • Building Leadership Capacity: Investing in leadership development will help embed a culture of innovation and resilience.
  • Strengthening Collaboration: Deepening partnerships with Shared Health and SDOs will be critical to maintaining momentum and ensuring patient-centred outcomes.

A Blueprint for Transformative Change

Rebbeck’s work with Manitoba Health demonstrates the power of strategic collaboration and robust frameworks in tackling complex healthcare challenges. The improvements achieved serve as a model for other regions striving for more efficient and equitable health systems.

This experience reminded us that the future of healthcare lies not in isolated interventions but in comprehensive, community-driven solutions. Imagine if every General Practice in the UK, Australia, or Canada was equipped to meet the needs of its community in such a way—we would see better long-term health outcomes, more equitable access, happier healthcare staff, and a reduction in overall system costs. This is the kind of transformative potential Rebbeck is passionate about helping organisations achieve.

Interested in learning more about how Rebbeck can support your impact in healthcare systems?

Get in touch with us today.

Featured Image by Jacob Boomsma