NHS Shared Business Services (NHS SBS) has introduced a new £70 million framework agreement aimed at enhancing access to mental health services across England. The initiative, titled Mental Health, Learning Disability and Autism: Assessment and Diagnosis, NHS Talking Therapies and Crisis Services, is designed to support NHS organizations in streamlining the procurement of mental health services, including those provided by voluntary, community, and social enterprises.
As demand for mental health care continues to rise, this framework seeks to expedite the commissioning process, enabling NHS trusts to more quickly and flexibly access the resources they need to meet growing needs.
The timing of this initiative is critical, as mental health challenges are increasingly affecting individuals of all ages. A report from the charity Mind reveals that poor mental health costs the UK economy approximately £300 billion annually. Mental health services for children and young people alone now account for over £1 billion of NHS spending each year.
NHS SBS highlights that the new framework will help NHS trusts increase their service capacity while ensuring the highest standards of care. By simplifying the procurement process and offering a pre-approved list of service providers, the framework is expected to cut down on the time and complexity involved in bringing new services online.
In addition, this framework is one of the first to be awarded under the new Provider Selection Regime, ensuring compliance with updated healthcare procurement legislation. This development offers NHS organizations greater assurance that contracts will be awarded in a transparent and consistent manner, in line with national standards.
A spokesperson for NHS SBS commented, “This framework presents a practical solution to one of the NHS’s most pressing challenges. By improving access to a wide range of mental health services, we aim to reduce delays and deliver more timely, responsive care to those who need it most.”
The framework is now available for NHS organizations across England to use as they work to expand mental health services and support communities in need.
