NHS Shared Business Services, has introduced a new framework agreement, Building Safety and Fire Compliance, to address the critical need for robust fire safety systems in healthcare settings.
This comes as healthcare buildings across England face increasing infrastructure challenges, highlighting the necessity for fire safety, building maintenance, and compliance across NHS estates and the wider public sector.
The new framework agreement offers a comprehensive compliance package, including active and passive fire safety measures, fire risk assessments, and consultancy services. These services are essential to mitigate risks such as life hazards, liability, operational disruption, reputational damage, and legal penalties.
Senior category manager at NHS SBS, Brendan Griffin-Ryan, commented:
“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…
“The NHS must prioritise fire safety to prevent incidents similar to Grenfell from occurring in healthcare settings, where the impact could be catastrophic.
Our framework agreement provides the NHS with a comprehensive range of services. It aligns with key health and safety regulations—ensuring seamless integration and adherence to all compliance in critical areas like fire safety, water treatment, and asbestos management, crucial for maintaining the safety and integrity of NHS buildings, protecting patients, staff, and visitors.”
NHS England estimates that eradicating the NHS maintenance backlog will cost £13.8 billion, surpassing the £13.6 billion 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 that risk fires, floods, electrical failures, and hazardous material exposure.
In response to these challenges, the government has allocated a £1 billion funding boost for essential repairs and upgrades, with £102 million earmarked for the first phase of GP surgery upgrades. Additionally, the New Hospital Programme, backed by £15 billion, aims to modernise NHS buildings over several phases.
The NHS SBS framework agreement enables procurement teams to access vetted suppliers for specialist services such as asbestos management, legionella treatment, authorising engineers, and fire safety. This allows for quick and compliant procurement from a range of suppliers, including multinationals and regional small and medium-sized enterprises.
Image credit: iStock
