Summary

Description

What is the QOF? The Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF), is a voluntary annual reward and incentive programme for all GP surgeries in England and is part of the GP contract. The QOF was introduced as part of the new General Medical Services (GMS) contract on 1 April 2004. Participation rates are very high, with most Personal Medical Services (PMS) practices also taking part. Practices score points on the basis of achievement against each indicator, up to a maximum of 1,000 points. Results of GP practices' achievement against the QOF are published each year. The QOF is not about performance management, but incentivising and rewarding good practice. For 2010/11, 8,245 GP practices in England are included in the published results, covering almost 100 per cent of registered patients in England. The QOF has four main components, known as domains. Each domain consists of a set of measures of achievement, known as indicators, against which practices score points according to their level of achievement. 1.Clinical domain: 86 indicators across 20 clinical areas (e.g. coronary heart disease, heart failure, hypertension) 2.Organisational domain: 36 indicators across five organisational areas - records and information; information for patients; education and training; practice management and medicines management 3.Patient care experience domain: three indicators that relate to length of consultations and to patient experience 4.Additional services domain: nine indicators across four service areas (cervical screening, child health surveillance, maternity services and contraceptive services).