NHS Shared Business Services unveils a £2.5bn Digital Workplace Solutions framework to overhaul NHS and public sector IT systems, supporting the Government’s digital transformation agenda
NHS Shared Business Services (NHS SBS) has officially launched its £2.5bn Digital Workplace Solutions 2 framework, aiming to modernise IT infrastructure across the NHS and broader public sector. This initiative aligns with the Government’s Plan for Change, addressing the urgent need to replace outdated systems and enhance digital capabilities. NHS England accredits the framework and supports national programmes like NHS Online, set to debut in 2027.
By providing access to essential technologies, the framework seeks to improve efficiency, enable responsive services, and lay the groundwork for predictive, preventative care.
Shifting the NHS SBS from analogue to digital
Lord Darzi’s report called for a radical shift from analogue to digital systems for the NHS. The Government committed £10bn at the Spending Review to accelerate digital transformation within the NHS, to improve efficiency, enable responsive services, lay the groundwork for predictive, preventative care and boost productivity.
“Fixing digital foundations starts with refreshing and securing core infrastructure -from data centres to networking equipment,” said David Holbrook, Senior Category Manager – Digital Workforce & IT Transformation at NHS SBS. “That’s central to what this framework agreement enables.”
The recent announcement of NHS Online, the UK’s first virtual hospital, emphasises the need for secure, scalable infrastructure. For the NHS to offer remote consultations, AI triage, and digital bookings, robust digital foundations, such as interoperable platforms, secure data environments, and resilient connectivity, must be established.
Local councils are facing infrastructure challenges
Beyond healthcare, local councils are facing significant pressure. Many struggle with outdated legacy systems, fragmented procurement processes, and supplier lock-in, all of which limit innovation and increase costs. A report by the Local Government Association highlights that these issues are further compounded by staff shortages, siloed departments, and inconsistent data standards, which hinder interoperability and slow the pace of digital transformation.
Councils continue to invest in digital inclusions, user-centric service design, and emerging technologies like AI and robotic process automation to ensure a more efficient and accessible future-ready public sector.
NHS SBS’s single-lot framework agreement provides buyers with access to a broad range of IT infrastructure, including on-premises network infrastructure, servers/storage, commercial off-the-shelf software licences, bespoke software licensing and end-user devices.
Holbrook concluded: “As we move into an era dominated by AI and Internet of Things (IoT), legacy systems simply don’t have the processing power or data handling capabilities to support them. Unsupported infrastructure not only hinders transformation but also introduces significant security risks.
“Our Digital Workplace Solutions framework agreement in itself doesn’t deliver innovative technology. However, it gives NHS and wider public sector organisations access to the core products and tools that make innovation happen.”
