NHS SBS Framework Agreement provides NHS, local authorities, universities, schools, police, and emergency services with trusted suppliers for audit, counter-fraud, governance, and workplace investigation services
Leading corporate services provider NHS Shared Business Services (NHS SBS), has today unveiled Audit Services for Health, the latest iteration of this framework agreement, providing the NHS and wider public sector with a streamlined, compliant route to access professional audit and investigation services.
Designed to address key challenges in governance, workforce management, and operational efficiency, the £150m framework agreement comprises six specialist Lots (service areas), including a newly introduced ‘Independent Workplace Investigations’ Lot, developed in response to rising levels of workplace conflict.
According to ACAS, over two in five UK workers report experiencing increased conflict at work, affecting an estimated 8 million employees annually and costing the economy £28.5 billion through lost productivity and staff turnover.
Unresolved disputes can seriously impact morale, staff retention, and critically in healthcare settings, patient care.
The new Lot gives procuring teams access to fully vetted providers offering impartial investigations into grievances, bullying, harassment, discrimination, whistleblowing, and disciplinary matters. These services support organisations across all sectors in fostering safer, fairer, and more productive workplaces.
The framework also covers:
- External Audit Services (Lot 1) – independent audits of accounts and financial reports, delivered by specialist suppliers, with 90% of key providers already approved for NHS work.
- Internal Audit Services (Lot 2) – evaluating governance, risk management, and control processes to ensure public funds are used efficiently.
- Counter Fraud Services (Lot 3) – aligned with NHS Counter Fraud Authority and Government Functional Standard GovS 013, helping prevent and detect fraud while fostering a strong anti-fraud culture.
- Well-Led Governance Reviews (Lot 4) – structured reviews to strengthen leadership effectiveness and governance arrangements.
- Audit & Governance Ancillary Services (Lot 5) – offering specialist support such as IT assurance, financial due diligence, data analysis, and governance training.
- Independent Workplace Investigations (Lot 6) – impartial conflict resolution services supporting staff wellbeing and organisational integrity.
“Transparency, fairness and accuracy are core tenants for the NHS and wider public sector organisations,” says Rhodri Ihenacho, Principal Category Manager – Business Services, NHS SBS.
“Audit services are vital in supporting national priorities by ensuring accountability, transparency, and efficient use of public funds. They provide objective assessments of whether public resources are managed responsibly and effectively, helping improve public service delivery, driving tangible positive results for taxpayers and instilling confidence in populations being served.
“By bringing essential audit and workplace investigation services together under one framework agreement, we’re enabling NHS and public sector organisations to quickly access and procure services from fully compliant suppliers – driving operational effectiveness, cost efficiency, and value for money.”
For more information, contact the NHS SBS team at: sbs.hello@nhs.net
