A new £70 million procurement framework has been launched by NHS Shared Business Services (NHS SBS) to address growing demand and long waiting times across mental health services in England. The initiative is designed to fast-track access to specialist support through a streamlined contracting model available to NHS and public sector organisations nationwide.
Strategic Response to a Mounting Crisis
Named “Mental Health, Learning Disability and Autism: Assessment and Diagnosis, NHS Talking Therapies and Crisis Services”, the framework responds to the increasing strain on mental health services—a pressure that has been flagged in key NHS strategy documents including the NHS Long Term Plan, 2024/25 operational priorities, and Lord Darzi’s NHS Review.
The mental health charity Mind estimates the annual economic cost of poor mental health in England to be approximately £300 billion, underscoring the scale of the challenge. Within the NHS, over £1 billion is spent annually on mental health services for children and young people alone.
Framework Overview
This new framework is among the first implemented under the Provider Selection Regime, ensuring full compliance with current healthcare procurement regulations. It is structured into three distinct service areas:
- Lot 1 – Assessment and Diagnosis: Offers access to clinical assessments for mental health and neurological conditions, including provisions for ongoing diagnostic support.
- Lot 2 – NHS Talking Therapies: Covers treatment for common mental health disorders such as depression, PTSD, panic disorder, and agoraphobia, aligning with NHS Talking Therapies (formerly IAPT) models.
- Lot 3 – Crisis Services: Supports interventions for individuals at acute risk, helping to stabilise patients and prevent hospital admissions or homelessness due to mental health decline.
The framework is accessible at no cost to all NHS and public sector bodies, including Integrated Care Systems (ICSs), local authorities, and community providers.
Enabling Access to Trusted Third-Party Providers
According to NHS SBS Category Manager Laura Goodwin, the new framework was developed following “extensive research and market engagement” in recognition of “the need and urgency” for more flexible service options. In a press release issued by NHS SBS, Goodwin noted:
“Mental health problems are rising, and as a result, people are waiting longer than they should to access the care they need… We are confident that this new framework agreement will enable trusts to get the additional support they – and their patients – so desperately need.”
By enabling procurement from approved voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) suppliers, the framework is expected to expand capacity and reduce bottlenecks in diagnosis and treatment pathways.
A System-Wide Solution
This strategic framework represents a key component of the NHS’s broader efforts to modernise and integrate mental health care services. It provides a flexible mechanism for organisations to source high-quality, compliant, and timely support—crucial as demand continues to rise.
References:
- NHS Shared Business Services Press Release (2025): nhssbs.co.uk
- Mind UK – The cost of mental health problems: mind.org.uk
- NHS England – Long Term Plan and 2024/25 Operational Planning Guidance
- Department of Health and Social Care – Provider Selection Regime Guidance
