Independent Investigations
Framework Description
The Independent Investigations framework (ref 2019/S 214-526090) is an NHS England national framework managed by the East of England NHS Collaborative Procurement Hub. It gives NHS organisations a pre-qualified route to commission independent investigations into serious patient safety incidents. It has five lots and runs to 31 October 2027, with its one 12-month extension already used.
Context & Use Case
NHS England and NHS commissioners use the framework when a serious incident needs an investigation that is visibly independent of the organisation involved. Lots range from single investigators to partnership teams and system-wide reviews across health and social care, so buyers can match the investigation to the scale and sensitivity of the incident.
Scope of Services
Lot 1: Individual independent investigations Lot 2: Partnership investigations Lot 3: Local care system investigations Lot 4: Health, social care and partners investigations Lot 5: Systematic independent investigations
Lots
Lot 1: Individual Independent Investigations This lot covers investigations conducted independently by individuals. Lot 2: Partnership Investigations This lot covers investigations conducted in partnership with other entities. Lot 3: Local Care System Investigation This lot covers investigations focused on local care systems. Lot 4: Health & Social Care & Partners Investigations This lot covers investigations involving health and social care partners. Lot 5: Systematic Independent Investigations This lot covers systematic investigations conducted independently.
Who Can Apply
Suits independent investigators, healthcare consultancies and partnerships with patient safety investigation expertise. Set up under the Light Touch Regime, the framework has been reopened and refreshed annually, so check the hub's framework page for any further refresh before it ends on 31 October 2027.
Buyer Benefits
Independence is the point of these investigations, so buyers need investigators with no conflict of interest, and the framework gives them a pre-vetted pool. Lots by investigation type help buyers commission quickly when families, regulators and the public expect timely answers.
Next Steps
Appointed suppliers can win commissions by direct award, direct award with partial competition or further competition until 31 October 2027. Others should check the hub's framework page or email frameworks@eoecph.nhs.uk to ask whether a further refresh or a replacement framework is planned, and gather case studies, investigator CVs and patient safety credentials.
How Athena Can Help
Investigation commissions are won on independence, method and credibility. Athena's bid planning and writing support helps present your investigation approach and conflict-of-interest safeguards in scored answers for further competitions.
If you are not yet on the framework, our help applying to frameworks prepares the application for the right lots when a refresh or replacement opens, and our NHS bid/no-bid advice helps individual investigators and small consultancies decide where to compete and how to price their time.
