The landscape for NHS procurement has changed significantly. Since April 2024, NHS trusts and foundation trusts have been required to buy goods, services and works through accredited frameworks wherever one is available. That shift, introduced through NHS England’s Framework Accreditation Scheme, has had a direct impact on suppliers. The framework you choose to pursue is no longer just a commercial decision. It is a compliance one too.
So how do you know which route is right for your organisation? And what does accreditation actually mean in practice?
Why the Framework Accreditation Scheme matters to suppliers
Before the scheme existed, the NHS framework landscape was fragmented. Trusts could use a wide range of frameworks from various hosts, with inconsistent standards and significant duplication across categories. NHS England’s Central Commercial Function, launched in July 2022, set out to change this.
The NHS spends an estimated £30 billion on third-party goods and services each year, across more than 80,000 suppliers. Of that, the value spent through framework agreements is in the region of £17 billion. That is an enormous market, and the accreditation scheme is designed to bring order to it.
The Framework Accreditation Scheme, launched in 2024, is a central part of NHS England’s drive to improve quality, consistency and transparency across NHS procurement. For suppliers, the practical implication is straightforward: if you are not on an accredited framework, you are less likely to be reachable by NHS buyers operating within the Standard Contract.
Understanding which frameworks carry that accreditation status, and which do not, is now a fundamental part of sound bid planning and strategy.
What makes a framework “accredited”?
Accreditation works at two levels: host accreditation and sub-category accreditation.
Framework host accreditation was the first stage. NHS England assessed procurement organisations against 18 framework and commercial standards, concluding this process in January 2024. The accredited framework hosts include:
- Crown Commercial Service
- NHS Shared Business Services
- NHS Supply Chain
- NHS Workforce Alliance
- London Procurement Partnership
- Pagabo
- HealthTrust Europe
- Regional and specialist bodies
In April 2025, the CCF Steering Board took the decision that no further host organisation accreditations would be undertaken, on the basis that extending the number of accredited hosts further would be counter-productive to the aim of sub-category optimisation. The list of 18 accredited hosts is, therefore, fixed.
Sub-category accreditation goes a step further. Rather than simply confirming a host is credible, this process identifies specific frameworks within particular spend categories as the preferred route for NHS buyers. Categories already accredited at sub-category level include agency workforce, digital and technology, legal services, and management consultancy.
Where a sub-category accreditation exists, NHS buyers are expected to use the accredited framework. If no accredited framework is available but an accredited host has a suitable framework, buyers are expected to use that host’s framework. Where neither option exists, buyers must follow an exception process.
For suppliers, this creates a clear priority. Being on a sub-category accredited framework offers the strongest position. Being on any framework hosted by one of the 18 accredited hosts is the next best option.
The main accredited routes: who are the key hosts?
Not all framework hosts are equal in terms of the categories they cover or the volume of NHS spend they handle. Here is a practical overview of the most significant routes for suppliers.
Government Commercial Agency (GCA) is the largest and broadest host, covering categories from professional services and workforce to technology and construction. Before April 2026, it used the name Crown Commercial Service (CCS), and you may still see this name online. Its frameworks are available to all UK public sector buyers, not just NHS organisations. GCA frameworks such as Management Consultancy Framework Four (MCF4) and the Public Sector Legal Services framework carry full sub-category accreditation for NHS use.
NHS Shared Business Services (NHS SBS) is a dedicated NHS procurement body and one of the most significant framework hosts for health sector suppliers. It covers a wide range of categories, from clinical services and diagnostics through to estates, FM, digital, and professional services.
NHS Supply Chain is the primary route for medical devices, consumables, and related products. It manages category-specific frameworks across clinical consumables, surgical equipment, and similar product lines.
NHS Workforce Alliance covers workforce-related procurement, including temporary staffing frameworks across clinical and non-clinical categories. This is particularly relevant for staffing agencies, managed service providers, and recruitment organisations working in the NHS.
London Procurement Partnership (LPP) provides frameworks primarily used by NHS organisations in London, though many are open to wider NHS buyers. LPP is particularly active in digital, clinical services, and medicines-related categories.
Pagabo is a well-established host for construction and estates frameworks, used by NHS trusts for capital works, professional services, and related categories.
How to choose the right framework for your organisation
Choosing which accredited framework to pursue requires a clear-eyed view of three things: what you sell, who buys it, and what routes are available in your category. It is not simply a case of picking the most prestigious host.
Start with category fit
The first question is whether a sub-category accreditation already exists for your area of spend. If it does, your priority should be the accredited frameworks within that category. If it does not, any framework hosted by one of the 18 accredited hosts remains a valid and compliant route.
Consider the buyer audience
Some frameworks are exclusively for NHS buyers, while others are open to the wider public sector. If you serve both NHS and non-NHS public sector clients, a GCA framework may offer broader reach. If you are focused purely on health, NHS SBS or NHS Supply Chain frameworks may be more targeted and relevant.
Look at lot structure carefully
Most frameworks are divided into lots, each covering a specific service type, geography, or supplier size. Applying for the wrong lot, or missing a lot that would benefit you, is a common and avoidable mistake. Read the lot descriptions carefully and map them precisely to what you offer. Where you have doubt, seek clarification before the application closes.
Think about competition levels
Heavily subscribed frameworks with many approved suppliers can dilute your visibility. Understanding how buyers engage with different frameworks, whether through direct award or mini-competition, should inform which route you prioritise.
Check timing
Frameworks have defined lifespans, typically two to four years. A framework that is about to expire may offer limited value. Keep a close eye on procurement notices via Find a Tender and NHS England’s commercial pipeline, so you do not miss the window to apply.
This is precisely where a thorough bid readiness assessment can make a real difference. Understanding your gaps before you commit to an application is far better than discovering them mid-submission.
Common questions from suppliers
Do I need to be on an accredited framework to win NHS work?
Not necessarily. NHS buyers can still run open competitions outside of frameworks, and there are circumstances where direct awards are permitted. However, the trajectory is clearly towards framework-based procurement, and being absent from accredited routes makes it significantly harder to be found and selected by NHS buyers working within the Standard Contract requirements.
Can I be on more than one framework?
Yes. Many suppliers hold places on multiple frameworks across different hosts, particularly where their services span more than one category. This is often the right approach, but it requires careful resource planning, as each application demands time and quality evidence.
What if there is no accredited framework for my category?
This situation is becoming less common as sub-category accreditations expand, but it does still occur. In these cases, any framework hosted by one of the 18 accredited hosts remains appropriate. It is also worth monitoring the NHS England procurement pipeline, as new frameworks are launched regularly. Being ready to apply as soon as a relevant framework opens is a strategic advantage in itself.
What happens when a framework I am on expires?
You will need to reapply when the next iteration opens. Transition periods matter, so track expiry dates and plan your reapplication well in advance. The evidence you gather during the current framework period, such as case studies, performance data, and contract outcomes, feeds directly into your next application.
Getting the application right
Once you have identified the right framework, the application itself demands the same rigour as any full tender. Framework applications typically require financial information, compliance documentation, technical capability responses, and client references from comparable pieces of work.
How frameworks are used in the NHS tells you a great deal about what evaluators are looking for. Framework assessors want to see that suppliers have relevant experience, that their compliance is current, and that their quality responses are specific and evidenced rather than generic. A well-written response to a capability question, backed by a credible case study, will always outperform a broad claim about organisational values.
At Bidding, we treat framework applications with exactly the same level of care as a full bid submission, because that is what they deserve. Every question answered, every box ticked, every opportunity to differentiate taken.
Ready to find your route to market?
The NHS accredited framework landscape is complex, but navigating it well is one of the most valuable things you can do for your pipeline. The right framework, in the right category, with a strong application, opens the door to ongoing NHS work without requiring a full tender process every time.
Whether you are applying for the first time or reassessing your existing framework strategy, Bidding can help you make the right call. Get in touch with our team today to talk through your options and take the next step.
