Supporting employee physical and mental health and well-being

The COVID-19 pandemic has shown that our physical and mental health and well-being is more important than ever. Organisations are adapting to ensure they have the knowledge and services in place to support employees through difficult times, and our new framework has been developed to help you do that.

The impact of the pandemic

The pandemic has changed all our lives in so many ways, and one of the main areas of concern is the detrimental impact on mental health and well-being. The Office of National Statistics reported that more than two-thirds of adults in the UK (69%) reported feeling somewhat or very worried about the effect COVID-19 is having on their life.

Our new framework provides numerous services to help organisations support their employees, including proactive and preventative services and treatments. Throughout the pandemic occupational health suppliers have played a key role –
from offering mental health workshops to publishing fact sheets on how to deal with an array of issues including burnout, health anxiety, domestic abuse, stress and bereavement.

Suppliers are flexible in their delivery methods and offer remote options wherever possible, and where clinical governance allows. Customers will also be able to choose for services to be provided remotely beyond the pandemic.

Enhanced psychological support services, such as structured psychological support, mental health screening and psychological surveillance are a new feature of the framework. These may be of particular interest to bluelight customers or those subject to traumatic events in their roles.

Social value

Social value was evaluated at 10% as part of the procurement process. Suppliers on the framework are fully aware that customers will need to evaluate social value and there are examples available for customers to consider depending on their organisation’s priorities. Examples include diverse, safe and secure supply chains, skills and employment, environmental sustainability, and inclusion and wellbeing. From an inclusion and diversity perspective, suppliers must also ensure their service offerings meet accessibility requirements. If websites, portals or apps are used they must be equally accessible by all. A number of new workplace assessments covering neurodiverse conditions are now also available through the framework.

Helping you buy local

Selecting a regional supplier may also support customers in meeting their specific social value criteria.

Our regional lot means you can now buy from a supplier that is able to provide services locally. Customers that are not geographically widespread can consider all suppliers providing services in their area. We’ve split the UK into the following regions:

• London
• South
• Midlands and East of England
• Northern England
• Wales
• Northern Ireland
• Scotland

Find out more about the framework and get in touch

To learn more about the new framework please visit the framework page. If you have any questions or would like to speak to a member of our team please fill out this short online form referencing ‘RM6182’ in the comments box.

Alternatively, you can: 

• call 0345 410 2222
• email info@crowncommercial.gov.uk 

This framework is offered to NHS customers as part of the NHS Workforce Alliance portfolio of health workforce solutions.