NHS SBS outlines supplier route for healthcare AI framework

NHS Shared Business Services is positioning AI as a way to help the NHS deliver faster and more efficient care, with potential benefits including quicker diagnosis and treatment and better targeting of expert clinical resources. The Healthcare AI Solutions Framework Agreement is designed to give NHS organisations a national procurement route for AI technologies across diagnostics, predictive analytics, operational efficiency, robotics and consultancy services.

The framework runs from 12 May 2027 to 11 May 2035 and is worth £750m plus VAT. It is intended to support efficient, legally compliant and scalable procurement, with a focus on applying AI across specialties to prevent, diagnose and treat illness while improving clinical workflows.

UK Healthcare and Life Sciences Innovation hosted a supplier webinar in partnership with NHS SBS and UK AI on 17 June. The session covered bidding requirements, accreditation standards, consortium arrangements and future market participation, while giving suppliers a chance to put questions directly to NHS SBS procurement officials.