Welcome to the March edition of our Framework Agreement News. This month, we highlight new developments across our portfolio, including enhanced communication solutions for the NHS and wider public sector, support for tackling backlog maintenance, and details of our upcoming webinars.
Improving Communication Across the NHS and Public Sector
Effective, timely communication is fundamental to delivering high‑quality public services. However, many organisations continue to rely on legacy systems that delay responses, increase costs and limit accessibility. Our new Patient/Citizen Communication, Engagement and Hybrid Mail Solutions Framework Agreement has been developed to support organisations in modernising the way they interact with patients, residents, students and service users.
The framework agreement provides access to fully vetted suppliers offering a comprehensive range of communications solutions, including:
- Digital letters and citizen/patient portals
- SMS and two‑way messaging
- Appointment reminders and notifications
- Chatbots and virtual assistants
- Call handling, IVR and intelligent routing
- Hybrid mail (on‑ and off‑site)
- Workforce communication tools such as digital pagers and audio messaging
- Surveys, feedback platforms and engagement tools
Upcoming Webinars
Throughout 2026, we will be delivering a programme of webinars designed to support customers with guidance, insights and best practice across our framework agreements. These sessions aim to help organisations meet their strategic objectives while navigating changing operational environments.
Spotlight on Healthcare Planning, Construction Consultancy and Ancillary Services: An NHS Case Study
East Cheshire NHS Trust has successfully transformed an unused area at Macclesfield District General Hospital into a modern Elective Treatment Centre, significantly increasing capacity for the 250,000 residents it serves. The project was delivered through our Construction Consultancy Services Framework Agreement, the predecessor to our Healthcare Planning, Construction Consultancy and Ancillary Services Framework Agreement.
- £2m project, delivered on time and on budget
- 4 new elective treatment rooms added
- 5 outpatient consultation rooms created
- Multiple recovery areas to support patient flow
- Enhanced reception, waiting area, and wayfinding for easier access
Constructed within a live hospital environment, the new centre improves patient flow, supports elective recovery efforts and contributes to reducing waiting lists.
Live Tenders and PMEs
The following Notices are now live:
UK 4 Tender Notice for Community and Acute Equipment and Services, Including Continence Products and Delivery (SBS10525)
SAP Ariba Discovery Post:
Community and Acute Equipment and Services, Including Continence Products and Delivery – SAP Ariba Discovery Post
Find a Tender / Central Digital Platform UK 4 Tender Notice:
Community and Acute Equipment and Services, Including Continence Products and Delivery – Find a Tender / Central Digital Platform UK2 PME Notice
UK2 Preliminary Market Engagement Notice for Consultancy and Advisory Services (SBS10537)
SAP Ariba Discovery Post:
Consultancy and Advisory Services (SBS10537) – SAP Ariba Discovery Post
Find a Tender / Central Digital Platform UK2 Preliminary Market Engagement Notice:
Consultancy and Advisory Services (SBS10537) – Find a Tender / Central Digital Platform UK2 PME Notice
Tackling Backlog Maintenance: Creating Safer, More Resilient NHS Estates
Backlog maintenance remains one of the most urgent challenges facing NHS estates teams, with the cost of eradicating it rising by 57.88% between 2019 and 2025. Ageing buildings, inflation, workforce shortages and tighter compliance requirements – including those linked to the Building Safety Act 2022 – continue to place pressure on organisations already stretched by limited capital budgets.
To support Trusts in addressing these risks quickly and compliantly, we hosted a webinar exploring how two key framework agreements – Hard Facilities Management 2 and Building Safety and Fire Compliance – can help estates teams mobilise essential works more efficiently by offering access to vetted suppliers, flexible service options and procurement routes designed to support safety, resilience and Net Zero goals.
Developing Solutions to Support You
Our aim is to develop framework agreements that streamline administrative processes, reduce operational pressures and enable more efficient use of resources.
Currently, our Digital & IT team is working on the replacement for our Medicines Optimisation Prescribing Decision Support Systems 3 Framework Agreement. This next iteration will continue to support medicines optimisation interventions that reduce preventable hospital admissions and encourage cost‑effective prescribing across primary care.
It will include market‑leading point‑of‑prescribing decision support solutions, helping ensure patients receive clinically- and cost‑effective medicines at the right time, improving outcomes and experience.
We welcome your input in shaping this framework agreement. To share your feedback or suggestions, please contact us.
