NHS Shared Business Services (NHS SBS) has launched a new framework agreement, Building Safety and Fire Compliance, ‘to address the need for robust fire safety systems in healthcare settings’.
NHS SBS says the framework agreement ‘provides a full compliance offer’ – including active and passive fire safety, fire risk assessment, and consultancy services, ‘essential to mitigate risks such as life hazards, liability, operational disruption, reputational damage, and legal penalties’.
Brendan Griffin-Ryan, NHS SBS Senior Category manager, explained (pictured): “The increased emphasis on fire safety brought about by the dreadful Grenfell Tower disaster has shown that some NHS buildings fail to meet modern safety standards, and underscores why fire safety compliance and protocols are paramount.”
NHS England estimates the cost to eradicate the NHS maintenance backlog at £13.8 bn, surpassing the £13.6 bn total cost of running the NHS estate. The National Audit Office reported 5,400 clinical incidents in 2023-2024 due to infrastructure failures and poor conditions. Trust documents reveal deficiencies risking fires, floods, electrical failures, and hazardous material exposure. Government recognition of this issue led to a £1 bn in funding boost for essential repairs and upgrades, with £102 m earmarked for the first phase of GP surgery upgrades. The New Hospital Programme, backed by £15 bn, aims to modernise NHS buildings over several phases.
NHS SBS says the new Building Safety and Fire Compliance framework agreement allows procurement teams to access ‘vetted’ suppliers for specialist services like asbestos management, Legionella treatment, Authorising Engineers, and fire safety, ‘quickly and compliantly’. Suppliers range from multinationals to regional small and medium-sized enterprises.
