Journeys to and from treatment often make a significant difference to patients’ wellbeing, and sometimes their safety and clinical condition. Non-emergency patient transport services (NEPTS) cost approximately £500 million annually and covers between 11 and 12 million patient journeys each year, primarily for outpatient appointments, dialysis, users over 65 and hospital discharges.
Through our Transportation and Travel Services for Health Framework Agreement, you can access quality, responsive NEPTS services to ensure you have patient-centred transport that minimises waiting times, keeps people informed and better integrates transport into the treatment pathway. By utilising NEPTS services through our framework agreement, you can:
- Ensure patients who wouldn’t be able to travel independently to treatment due to their medical condition have access to transport, enabling the timely delivery of care and reducing did not attends (DNAs)
- Facilitate timely discharges from hospital, which releases hospital beds to those that need them most
- Avoid the inappropriate use of emergency ambulances for non-critical cases, so emergency services can focus on urgent needs only
- Reduce travel-related emissions in line with the NHS zero travel and transport strategy
Framework Agreement Information
Transportation and Travel Services for Health covers the scope of non-emergency patient transport (NEPTS). The service covers patients requiring transport to (inward journey) or from (an outward journey) from point of care facilities, from and to other hospitals, health centres, nursing homes, hospices, satellite units and any other location as determined by the customer.
What dates is the framework agreement active?
29 September 2025 – 28 September 2027
(With the option to extend for a further two years)
Who can take advantage of the framework agreement?
All “Relevant Authorities” in England* under the Provider Selection Regime (PSR).
*This may be extended to the devolved administrations in the coming months and years
How was the framework agreement procured?
Further competition and direct award
When awarding a contract under this framework agreement, relevant authorities may choose whether to award the contract:
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- without a further competition (via ‘direct award’), or
- by following the competitive process (via a ‘further competition’).
How we can support?
We offer different levels of support, including SME advice and robust templates for you to easily run your own process, or additional support to design and run a further competition on your behalf.
How can I access the framework agreement?
Access framework agreement documentation via our Customer Framework Agreement Portal (CFAP)
The framework agreement has been structured in the following lots:
What are the benefits of using this framework agreement?
REGIONALISED FRAMEWORK AGREEMENT
Over 70% of the awarded suppliers are SMEs. A regions matrix is available for customers to select patient transport suppliers in their area.
ENHANCES ACCESS TO HEATH SERVICES
Reliable transport enables access to hospitals and care settings, particularly important for vulnerable groups such as older adults and people with disabilities.
COORDINATED BOOKING SYSTEMS
Services are coordinated through booking systems that manage patient journeys and ensure timely pick-ups and drop-offs.
NHS ENGLAND'S NET ZERO TRAVEL AND TRANSPORT STRATEGY
The framework agreement has been developed in-line with the Vehicle Decarbonisation Timeline to support the NHS in achieving net zero by 2045.
REDUCES CARBON FOOTPRINT
Suppliers based locally have less mileage to cover to get to the hospital, reducing the carbon footprint.
CUSTOMER ASSURANCE
Robust protocols to ensure patient safety during transport e.g. hand hygiene, aseptic techniques, PPE and environmental cleanliness.
Supplier Details
Please note there are further suppliers to add to this list.
Strategic Procurement Support
If this framework agreement doesn’t cover the goods or services you require, or a framework agreement isn’t the optimal route to market for your needs, we can provide tailored strategic procurement support. Find out more here.
