The Department of Health and Social Care has published new guidance aimed at helping SMEs work more effectively with the NHS. It’s a practical document covering how procurement works, how to position your offer, and how to navigate NHS structures as a smaller supplier.

For CASPA members, this is a timely and relevant publication. Alongside the recently published neighbourhood health framework, it signals a continued shift towards more integrated, community-based care models — with increasing expectation that technology providers will play a key role.

A few points worth noting:

• The guidance reinforces the NHS’s stated intention to engage more actively with SMEs, particularly where they can bring innovation and flexibility
• It provides clearer direction on procurement routes and frameworks, which may help members better target opportunities and reduce barriers to entry
• There is a strong emphasis on interoperability, outcomes, and partnership working — all of which align closely with the direction of travel in adult social care
• When viewed alongside the neighbourhood health framework, there is a clear opportunity for suppliers who can support integration across health and social care at a local level

While much of the content will feel familiar, it is helpful to see this consolidated into a single reference point — and it may be a useful resource for both commercial and product teams when thinking about NHS engagement.

CASPA is continuing to engage with relevant departments to ensure that the voice of care software providers is reflected in how these policies are implemented, particularly around proportionality for SMEs and realistic routes into NHS procurement.

You can read the full guidance here.