The Health Systems Support Framework (HSSF) Explained
The Health Systems Support Framework (HSSF) is an NHS England commercial framework that gives integrated care boards and other NHS organisations a fast, compliant route to buy transformation and support services, such as advanced analytics, digital integration and population health management, from pre-accredited suppliers.
Key facts at a glance
- Run by
- NHS England
- Purpose
- Compliant route for NHS bodies to procure system transformation and support services
- Buyers
- Integrated care boards (ICBs), integrated care systems, NHS trusts and other NHS organisations
- Suppliers
- Pre-accredited onto lots through an NHS England accreditation process
- Typical areas
- Advanced analytics and population health management, digital and system integration, transformation and change
- How to join
- Apply when NHS England opens an accreditation or procurement round for the relevant lots
What is the Health Systems Support Framework?
The Health Systems Support Framework (HSSF) is a commercial framework run by NHS England. It gives NHS organisations a pre-assured, compliant way to buy in expertise and services that help them transform care, integrate systems and use data more effectively, without running a full procurement from scratch each time.
Suppliers are accredited onto specific lots after meeting NHS England’s quality and assurance standards. NHS buyers can then run a further competition or make a direct award from the accredited suppliers on the relevant lot, which significantly shortens the route to contract.
What can NHS bodies buy through the HSSF?
The HSSF is organised around the support that integrated care systems need to deliver the NHS Long Term Plan and population health goals. Typical areas include advanced analytics and population health management, digital and system integration, and transformation, change and service redesign.
Because it is structured around outcomes for integrated care, the framework is used by ICBs and providers that want specialist partners for data platforms, analytics, digital enablement and large-scale change programmes.
Who can use the HSSF?
The HSSF is available to NHS England, integrated care boards, integrated care systems, NHS trusts and foundation trusts, and other NHS and public bodies involved in commissioning or delivering health and care. It gives them a compliant alternative to an open tender when they need transformation support quickly.
How do suppliers get onto the HSSF?
Suppliers join the HSSF by applying during an NHS England accreditation or procurement round for the lots that match their capability. The application tests financial standing, relevant experience, technical capability and the quality of your proposed approach, and you must evidence outcomes you have delivered for comparable health and care clients.
This is a competitive, evidence-heavy process. Our team writes and manages HSSF applications end to end, the same way we approach every NHS tender, so your responses are sharp, fully evidenced and aligned to what NHS evaluators score.
Who should apply?
The HSSF is the right route for organisations that help the NHS transform and integrate. That typically includes:
Pricing
HSSF Framework Application
From £3,950
Full application management for one NHS framework, including responses and evidence. Fixed price, no hidden costs, same-day consultations available.
Frequently asked questions
Is the HSSF a framework or a dynamic purchasing system?
The HSSF is a commercial framework of pre-accredited suppliers organised into lots. NHS buyers select from the accredited suppliers on the relevant lot, either by direct award or a further competition, rather than running a full open procurement each time.
Who can buy through the HSSF?
NHS England, integrated care boards, integrated care systems, NHS trusts and foundation trusts and other NHS and public bodies can use the HSSF to procure system transformation and support services compliantly.
What areas does the HSSF cover?
The framework focuses on the support integrated care systems need, including advanced analytics and population health management, digital and system integration, and transformation, change and service redesign.
How do I get my company accredited onto the HSSF?
You apply during an NHS England accreditation or procurement round for the lots that match your services. The process assesses your financial standing, experience, technical capability and quality of approach, with strong evidence of delivered outcomes.
How is the HSSF different from a Crown Commercial Service framework?
The HSSF is run by NHS England specifically for health system transformation and support, so its lots and evaluation are tailored to integrated care priorities. CCS frameworks are cross-government and broader in scope. Many suppliers hold places on both.
How can Glaxtons help with an HSSF application?
Glaxtons writes and manages HSSF applications, evidencing your capability, NHS experience and outcomes against the lot requirements. We hold a 93% win rate across NHS and public sector bids, with senior specialists on every engagement. NHS framework applications start from £3,950.
Related NHS framework support
Win your place on the HSSF
The Health Systems Support Framework opens the door to transformation work across every integrated care system. Glaxtons writes the applications that get suppliers accredited. Talk to a specialist today.