RM6397 Clinical and Non-Clinical Staffing Framework Explained
RM6397 Clinical and Non-Clinical Temporary and Permanent Staff is the upcoming NHS Workforce Alliance framework for clinical, non-clinical and managed staffing services. It replaces RM6281 and RM6277, runs for four years, and its Find a Tender notice is expected in August 2026 with award in February 2027.
Key facts at a glance
- Reference
- RM6397
- Operator
- Part of the NHS Workforce Alliance
- Tender notice
- Find a Tender publication expected August 2026
- Award
- Scheduled February 2027
- Duration
- Four years
- Replaces
- RM6281 (clinical and healthcare staffing) and RM6277 (non-clinical staffing)
What is RM6397?
RM6397 Clinical and Non-Clinical Temporary and Permanent Staff is the next-generation staffing agreement hosted within the NHS Workforce Alliance. It covers three service areas: clinical roles, non-clinical roles, and managed services that deliver both. Role coverage spans nursing, medical and allied health professions alongside social care, IT, legal, environmental science and facilities positions.
The framework consolidates two predecessors, RM6281 National Framework for the Provision of Clinical and Healthcare Staffing and RM6277 Non-Clinical Staffing, into a single four-year agreement. For staffing providers, a place on RM6397 is the primary compliant route to supplying temporary and permanent workers into the NHS and wider public sector.
When does the RM6397 tender open?
The Government Commercial Agency lists the Find a Tender notice as expected in August 2026, with framework award scheduled for February 2027. Pre-market engagement ran from May 2025 to March 2026 and documentation drafting from April to June 2026, so the specification is largely settled.
Staffing framework bids are evidence-heavy: fill rates, time-to-supply, compliance audit results, clinical governance arrangements and safeguarding records all need collating from operational systems. Providers who start assembling that evidence before the notice consistently score better than those who begin inside the window.
How Glaxtons helps staffing providers win a place
Glaxtons is the UK specialist for NHS framework bidding, covering the NHS Workforce Alliance, the Provider Selection Regime, HSSF and ProCure24, with submissions managed on NHS portals including Atamis. Our success rate is 93 percent across more than 500 submissions.
For RM6397 we help agencies and managed service providers translate operational performance into responses that score: workforce compliance evidence aligned to NHS Employment Check Standards, credible mobilisation plans, and pricing that stays competitive without breaching framework rate expectations.
Who should apply?
RM6397 is relevant to staffing and workforce providers including:
Frequently asked questions
What is the RM6397 framework?
RM6397 Clinical and Non-Clinical Temporary and Permanent Staff is the upcoming NHS Workforce Alliance framework for clinical, non-clinical and managed staffing services across the NHS and wider public sector. It replaces RM6281 and RM6277 and runs for four years.
When does the RM6397 tender open?
The Find a Tender notice is expected in August 2026, with framework award scheduled for February 2027, according to the Government Commercial Agency pipeline.
I am on RM6281 or RM6277. Do I need to rebid?
Yes. RM6397 replaces both agreements, and places are not carried over. Incumbent suppliers must bid again, though strong performance data from the outgoing frameworks is powerful evidence in a new submission.
Can Glaxtons help with an RM6397 bid?
Yes. Glaxtons is the UK specialist for NHS framework bidding, including the NHS Workforce Alliance, with a 93 percent success rate across more than 500 submissions. Book a call at bookings.glaxtons.co.uk.
Related NHS framework support
Win Your Place on RM6397
The notice is expected in August 2026. Start assembling your compliance and performance evidence now with a Glaxtons NHS framework specialist. Book a call at bookings.glaxtons.co.uk.