As reported by The Carer UK, NHS Shared Business Services (NHS SBS) has unveiled a new £70 million framework agreement aimed at accelerating access to mental health services across England
The new initiative, titled Mental Health, Learning Disability and Autism: Assessment and Diagnosis, NHS Talking Therapies and Crisis Services, offers NHS organisations streamlined access to a diverse network of providers – including voluntary, community and social enterprises. The goal is to enable faster, more flexible commissioning of vital services to meet rising demand.
With mental health challenges on the rise, the framework comes at a critical time. Research from leading charity Mind estimates that poor mental health costs the English economy around £300 billion a year. For children and young people, mental health services now account for over £1 billion of NHS spending annually.
NHS SBS says the framework is designed to support NHS trusts in expanding capacity while maintaining high standards of care. By simplifying procurement and offering a pre-vetted list of suppliers, the agreement is expected to significantly reduce the time and complexity of bringing new services online.
Importantly, this is one of the first frameworks awarded under the new Provider Selection Regime, ensuring full compliance with updated healthcare procurement legislation. This provides NHS organisations with greater confidence that contracts are being awarded transparently and in line with national standards.
A spokesperson for NHS SBS commented, “This framework offers a practical solution to one of the NHS’s most urgent challenges. By improving access to a broad range of mental health services, we hope to support both patients and providers in reducing delays and delivering more responsive care.”
The framework is now live and available to NHS organisations across England.
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