Over four-fifths (83%) of people polled by Yonder Consulting on behalf of not-for-profit workforce specialist Skills for Health said organisations prioritising social purpose over profit should be the primary partners of the NHS for goods and services.

Jon Czul, managing director at Skills for Health, said: ‘The delivery of integrated people-centred care requires a partnership approach that utilises the expertise and resources of public, private and third sectors, as well as working closely with stakeholders whose values reflect those of the public and the NHS. It follows that there is definite scope for third sector organisations to play an expanded role in supporting UK healthcare provision into the future.'

Almost three-quarters (73%) of respondents said the NHS should prioritise UK-based firms, however, third sector organisations account for just around 1% of NHS procurement spend.

In February 2025, the Government stated its intention to maximise the role of third sector in its procurement but real terms spending on charity and social enterprise suppliers in some areas is forecast to have declined in the financial year ending 31 March 2025.