Leading corporate services provider NHS Shared Business Services has unveiled a new £70 million framework agreement aimed at accelerating patient access to mental health services.
This innovative framework, titled "Mental Health, Learning Disability and Autism: Assessment and Diagnosis, NHS Talking Therapies and Crisis Services," offers NHS organisations streamlined access to a variety of suppliers, including voluntary, community, and social enterprises, to help reduce waiting times.
The mental health charity Mind has highlighted the significant economic impact of poor mental health, estimating costs at around £300 billion annually in England. For children and young people, mental health services account for over £1 billion of NHS spending each year.
Category Manager at the NHS SBS, Laura Goodwin, said:
“Following extensive research and market engagement, NHS SBS understood the need and urgency for this one-of-a-kind Mental Health, Learning Disability and Autism: Assessment and Diagnosis, NHS Talking Therapies and Crisis Services Framework Agreement.
“Mental health problems are rising, and as a result, people are waiting longer than they should to access the care they need – a problem that has been highlighted in the Long Term Plan, the NHS 2024/25 priorities and Lord Darzi’s review of the NHS.
“Trusted, competent third-party suppliers are an efficient and effective way of tackling waiting lists. With our NHS customers contacting us regularly looking for help, we are confident that this new framework agreement will enable trusts to get the additional support they – and their patients – so desperately need.”
The framework agreement is divided into three distinct Lots:
Lot 1 – Assessment and Diagnosis: This lot encompasses a range of services and clinical assessments for diagnosing common mental health conditions, severe mental illness, and neurological conditions. It also includes provisions for ongoing assessments.
Lot 2 – NHS Talking Therapies: This lot covers NHS talking therapies for anxiety and depression, offering treatment and psychotherapy for various mental health issues, including mixed depression and anxiety, panic disorder, agoraphobia, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Lot 3 – Crisis Services: This lot focuses on relapse prevention, assisting relevant authorities in responding to patients whose mental health or social situation has deteriorated to the point of considerable risk. It provides additional support to help patients remain in their current accommodation and prevent further harm.
The framework agreement is one of the first to be awarded under the new Provider Selection Regime, ensuring that contracts are fully compliant with the latest legislation. It is free to access and available to all NHS and public sector organisations across the UK.
This initiative is expected to significantly reduce waiting times for mental health services, providing timely support to those in need and enhancing overall mental health care.
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