03 October 2008
General practitioners have improved the quality of the care they provide, measured against the framework set out in the new GP contract.
The NHS Information Centre released figures showing better GP performance against a set of evidence-based indicators that make up the Quality and Outcomes Framework, part of the General Medical Services Contract introduced in 2004. The framework was revised in 2006/07.
Practices achieved an average score of 96.8% in 2007/08, against 1,000 indicators, up from 95.5% in 2006/07. The figures showed 7.5% of practices achieved the maximum score across all points, up from 5.1% last year.
The scheme was introduced as part of primary care contracting arrangements to reward practices for the quality of their services. It looks at specific aspects of care, how well a practice is organised, the patient experience and extra services provided.
Participation in the scheme is voluntary, although scores through the framework are the basis for QOF payments as part of the GP contract.
PFoct2008
