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Health Workforce Solutions

This open framework agreement, let under the Procurement Act 2023, gives access to strategic and bespoke workforce solutions, including but not limited to outsourced staff banks, strategic managed service solutions, temporary and permanent recruitment solutions (domestic and international), workforce management plans and vendor management systems.

Framework information

Description

The aim of the Health Workforce Solutions Framework is to provide long-term strategic delivery of health workforce staff to support patient care aligned to the NHS Long Term Workforce Plan. To achieve this, awarded suppliers deliver holistic, innovative healthcare resource solutions in line with the your strategic and operational targets.

This framework is the replacement framework for the Managed Staff Banks Framework RM6278 and Workforce Improvement Services Framework RM6163. It includes all the elements that have led to the Managed Staff Bank and Workforce Improvement Services frameworks success, with the necessary amendments to facilitate growth, innovation, technology and improved ease of use for all parties.

RM6380 allows the choice to pick any combination from the following service lines via a single Lot.

  • Outsourced Staff Banks
  • Agency Supply Chain Management
  • Direct Engagement
  • Permanent Recruitment (International and Domestic)
  • Recruit, Train, Deploy
  • Advisory and Discovery Services
  • Statement of Works

Please note, the framework should not be used as a route to supply transactional agency workers in isolation or for standalone technology systems. In this case please refer to our Clinical staffing and Non-Clinical staffing frameworks, and our Workforce Technology Systems framework.

Benefits

Key benefits

  • Alternatives to agency staffing models: Offers innovative workforce solutions that provide viable alternatives to traditional agency staffing models.
  • Future focused workforce solutions: Designed to meet evolving NHS workforce priorities aligned with NHS 10 Year Health Plan.
  • Vendor management systems: Helps manage agency staffing cost pressures for temporary staffing oversight.
  • Source candidates for specialist roles: Access domestic and international recruitment specialists.
  • Single Lot flexibility: Source one or multiple service lines through a single, streamlined procurement route saving you time and resources.
  • Access to NHS-compliant suppliers using rigorously pre-approved strict criteria to ensure they meet the specific needs of the NHS.

Additional benefits

  • Free to use. No need for membership as framework fees are collected from suppliers.
  • Award both with and without competition is available.
  • Provides a complete workforce model through a single contracting option, simplifying procurement and governance. It enables the incorporation of multiple service elements—such as managed staff banks, international recruitment, permanent staffing, and other tailored workforce services—within one unified agreement.
  • Aligned to the NHS England strategy for ICS and regional level collaborations allowing for enhanced strategic solutions.
  • Enables enhanced regional working and information sharing.
  • Additional service lines such as statement of work and recruit, train, deploy are available under this framework to support the NHS 10 Year Health Plan and Medium Term Planning Framework
  • A wide range of experienced suppliers to support the delivery of solution-focused services, with options to enhance the delivery via supply chains.
  • Suppliers have been tested against specific experience and financial viability thresholds to ensure capability and capacity to meet Buyer requirements.
  • All suppliers have been evaluated using the Sourcing Playbook methodology, which includes enhanced financial checks to ensure financial viability throughout the contract term.
  • This Framework upholds the NHS England Agency Rules.
  • IR35-compliant
  • We conduct independent worker health assurance audits to ensure worker pre-employment checks for NHS roles follow the NHS Employments Check Standardsand Skills for Health
  • Social value elements have been specifically applied to help NHS Buyers deliver the net zero target.
  • Supplier Relationship Management programme and Strategic Supplier Relationship Management programme to support effective management of Suppliers under the framework.
  • All suppliers for this agreement have committed to comply with the Procurement Policy Note 06/21: ‘Taking account of Carbon Reduction Plans in the procurement of major government contracts’ as required. If a Supplier is required to publish a carbon reduction plan, this can be located on their individual Supplier details page.

How to access this framework

Both award without competition (direct award) and competitive selection processes are enabled via this framework. You can find this information within the Call Off Award Procedure which sets out the requirements of the routes to market.

You may award without competition if it is clear from the contract documents that there is one supplier who can meet your needs and provides the best value across the contract. Requirements need to be fully covered by the framework specification.

You should use a competitive selection process if wanting to adjust the specification or if they require any additional services or KPIs. Better value may be achieved through running a competitive selection process.

Given the nature of the services within this framework agreement, we recommend the competitive selection route for awarding services under this framework agreement.