CCS NHS Workforce Alliance Healthcare Solutions

Bidding for NHS Workforce Alliance Healthcare Solutions Framework - Latest Guidance for 2025/26

The NHS Workforce Alliance Healthcare Solutions Framework (RM6380) , represents a major strategic procurement initiative, managed by Crown Commercial Service (CCS) in partnership with NHS procurement hubs.

This agreement aims to bring together a broad range of service areas — including outsourced staff banks, temporary and permanent domestic and international recruitment and managed service solutions — under a single, streamlined framework.

With an estimated value of £5 billion, this new framework is designed to consolidate and enhance workforce delivery for the NHS and wider public sector. The engagement period began in late 2024, with an approach to market expected in August 2025 ahead of a go-live date in February 2026.

Latest Updates

Following market engagement in March 2025 and Q&A clarification sessions in April, the NHS Workforce Alliance has confirmed several key developments:

• The framework will operate as an Open Framework under the Procurement Act 2023, allowing for periodic reopening (anticipated between Years 2 and 3).
• New service lines under consideration include:
  • Resource Augmentation (project-based, service contracts)
  • Statement of Work (SoW)
  • Recruit, Train, Deploy
  • Permanent Recruitment
• Clinical and non-clinical roles will both be in scope — including highly specialised roles like EPIC analysts.
• The framework is open to the entire public sector, not just NHS Trusts.
• Procurement release is tentatively scheduled for August 2025, with the final ITT timeline still under review to account for the summer holiday period.
• The current Clinical and Non-Clinical Temporary Staffing Frameworks (RM6161 and RM6277) will remain in place and continue to serve specific needs.

How the CCS Supports NHS Workforce Requirements

Crown Commercial Service (CCS) plays a vital role in supporting the NHS to meet its workforce requirements through the NHS Workforce Alliance. This is a partnership between CCS and NHS Procurement in Partnership, which is in turn a collaboration of four regional NHS procurement hubs: NHS Commercial Solutions, NHS East of England Collaborative Procurement Hub, NHS London Procurement Partnership, and NHS North of England Commercial Procurement Collaborative.

This collaboration enables the NHS to access sustainable workforce solutions quickly and easily, ensuring the continuity of services even during periods of high demand, sickness, and absence, such as during the COVID pandemic. The NHS Workforce Alliance aims to address the NHS need to increase recruitment to fill existing permanent vacancies with dedicated staff, aligning with recommendations set out in the NHS Long Term Plan and the NHS People Plan.

How Have Clinical Staffing Frameworks Evolved?

Clinical staffing frameworks have undergone significant changes to meet the evolving needs of the healthcare sector. The NHS Workforce Alliance has been at the forefront of developing these solutions. Earlier frameworks focused primarily on temporary staffing, but newer iterations have expanded to include a wider range of healthcare roles and specialties.

The shift towards more comprehensive frameworks reflects the growing complexity of healthcare delivery. These solutions now aim to provide a more flexible and responsive approach to staffing needs. You'll find that modern frameworks cover not only traditional clinical roles but also emerging specialties and support services.

Requirements for Suppliers

To maintain the highest standards, CCS has established key requirements for participating suppliers in the NHS Workforce Alliance Healthcare Solutions framework. These include:

• Obtaining the Cyber Essentials certification
• Developing robust and realistic Carbon Reduction Plans that align with the UK government's ambitious targets
• Aligning with NHS social value goals, including workforce diversity, sustainability, and community support

As a government agency committed to helping the public sector achieve maximum value in procurement, CCS is well-suited to oversee this framework and ensure compliance and cost savings for all involved parties. Suppliers aiming to participate in the NHS Workforce Alliance Healthcare Solutions framework must also align with NHS England's efficiency programs.

How to Prepare for NHS Workforce Solutions

As the opportunity approaches, early preparation remains essential to bid successfully. As well as being able to demonstrate the core requirements listed above, you must include the right documentation and evidence, such as:

• Technical and professional capability statements
• Experience managing multi-disciplinary workforces
• A supply chain plan; particularly important as SMEs are encouraged to participate directly or as part of consortia
• Financial Viability Risk Assessment (FVRA)
• KPIs aligned with healthcare outcomes
• CRM-based account management models

You should also provide details of your relevant volumes by lot, as well as your approach to candidate attraction and matching procedures.

Draft Implementation Plan

A draft implementation plan is another useful tool to create a quality bid framework submission. Using GANTT charts, agencies should outline:

• Tasks
• Timelines
• Responsible parties
• Ongoing activities
• Goals
• Key performance indicators (KPIs)
• Communication plans

Don’t forget to back this up with case studies, risk management plans, complaint procedures and financial accounts by sector and service line. Compliance and financial stability are also factors, so bidders must prepare a clear complaints procedure and provide detailed financial documentation, including a breakdown of turnover by sector.

KPI Reporting

Identifying and reporting on KPIs is another area where suppliers can differentiate themselves. By defining KPIs that align with buyer specifications and providing examples of reporting formats, bidders can demonstrate their commitment to transparency and continuous improvement. Clear communication strategies, such as designating single points of contact and utilising customer relationship management (CRM) reporting, further showcase a supplier's ability to effectively manage accounts.

Compliance

To demonstrate compliance, you should maintain and demonstrate a comprehensive library of policies, covering:

• Anti-corruption
• Code of conduct
• Complaints handling
• Quality management
• Equality and diversity
• Anti-slavery
• Environmental management
• CSR and governance
• Business continuity
• Information security

Bidding for Framework Agreements

The bidding process for NHS framework agreements requires careful preparation and adherence to specific criteria. Trusts and public bodies must understand the eligibility requirements and demonstrate alignment with NHS social value goals.

Understanding the Bidding Process

To bid for an NHS framework agreement, you'll need to follow a structured process. Start by reviewing the bid pack, which outlines the framework's requirements and specifications. Pay close attention to the evaluation criteria and weightings. Prepare a detailed proposal that addresses each element, showcasing your organisation's capabilities and experience.

Key steps include:

1. Registering interest
2. Attending supplier briefings
3. Submitting clarification questions
4. Preparing your bid response
5. Submitting your proposal before the deadline

Ensure you allocate sufficient time for each stage, as late submissions are typically not accepted.

Eligibility Criteria for Trusts and Public Bodies

To be eligible for NHS framework agreements, your organisation must meet specific criteria:

• Be a legally constituted entity
• Have a proven track record in healthcare staffing
• Demonstrate financial stability
• Possess relevant certifications and accreditations
• Comply with NHS employment standards

You'll need to provide evidence of your qualifications, including:

• Company registration documents
• Financial statements
• Quality assurance certifications
• References from previous NHS contracts

Meeting these criteria is essential for your bid to be considered. For NHS health care services in England, take a look at our overview of the Provider Selection Regime.

Innovation and Added Value

Innovation and added value are key differentiators in the competitive bidding process for the NHS Workforce Alliance Healthcare Solutions framework. Suppliers should highlight the specific needs of the buyer, supported by relevant case studies. Examples could include:

• Bespoke campaign recruitment
• Recruit-Train-Deploy models
• Service-based contracts with payment-by-results

Social Value

To score strongly on social value, your bid must align with NHS goals as outlined in PPN 06/20 and the Social Value Model. Demonstrate how your organisation will contribute to:

• COVID-19 recovery
• Tackling economic inequality
• Fighting climate change
• Equal opportunity
• Wellbeing

Suppliers must also provide measurable commitments in their proposal. For example, you might pledge to:

• Hire a certain percentage of staff from disadvantaged backgrounds
• Implement green transport initiatives
• Offer mental health support programmes for temporary staff

Demonstrating a commitment to social value standards and providing evidence of past achievements in this area can also set your bid apart.

Ensuring Quality and Compliance

Quality and compliance are paramount in healthcare staffing. Rigorous standards ensure patient safety, proper care, and regulatory adherence. These elements form the backbone of effective clinical workforce solutions.

Role of Healthcare Staff Agencies

Healthcare staff agencies play a crucial role in maintaining quality and compliance. They act as intermediaries between healthcare facilities and clinical professionals, ensuring proper vetting and placement.

Agencies must:

• Conduct thorough background checks
• Verify credentials and qualifications
• Provide ongoing training and support

You can expect agencies to maintain detailed records of staff competencies and certifications. They often use advanced software to track compliance requirements and expiration dates. This meticulous approach helps NHS employers streamline their staffing processes and maintain high standards of care.

Service Elements and Patient Care

Service elements directly impact patient care quality. The new framework emphasises:

• Timely staff deployment
• Proper skill matching
• Continuity of care

You'll find that agencies are required to have robust systems for quickly filling vacancies with appropriately skilled professionals. This ensures minimal disruption to patient care.

Patient feedback mechanisms are increasingly important. Agencies must have processes to gather and act on patient experiences, driving continuous improvement in service delivery.

Qualifications of Clinical Staff

The qualifications of clinical staff are rigorously scrutinised under the framework. You can expect:

• Verification of professional registrations
• Regular competency assessments
• Mandatory training compliance

Agencies must ensure all clinical staff meet or exceed NHS standards. This includes:

1. Up-to-date professional qualifications
2. Relevant speciality experience
3. Completion of required training modules

You'll find that the framework emphasises ongoing professional development. Agencies are expected to support staff in maintaining and enhancing their skills, ensuring they remain at the forefront of clinical practice.

Thornton & Lowe’s Support for NHS Framework Bids

At Thornton & Lowe, we’ve been at the forefront of public sector recruitment bidding for over 15 years. As a leading bid management consultancy, we have extensive experience in writing successful bids for nearly all CCS frameworks. This includes helping clients secure places across the full NHS Workforce Alliance portfolio, including clinical agency staffing, staff banks, international recruitment, non-clinical staffing, IT, workforce support, and improvement services.

Our team offers:

• Expert bid writing
• Competitive benchmarking
• Proposal strategy and compliance reviews
• Templates tailored to CCS evaluation models

5 Top Tips to Win Bids

Here are five top tips from Thornton & Lowe to help you win bids on the NHS Workforce Alliance Healthcare Solutions framework:

1. Start early by developing templates for key bid sections
2. Collate necessary documentation in advance
3. Attend NHS Workforce Alliance market events
4. Register on Contracts Finder and Find a Tender
5. Regularly review CCS and NHS recruitment requirements

A Framework for the Future

The new Healthcare Solutions Framework represents a strategic evolution in NHS workforce procurement. It responds to long-standing challenges in healthcare staffing by offering:

• Flexibility
• Innovation
• Value for money
• Supplier diversity

By aligning with NHS strategic goals, committing to transparency, and demonstrating added value, your organisation can position itself to secure long-term healthcare staffing contracts through this landmark framework.