Commencing in April 2004 a new system was introduced to General Practice. Under this new system, known as the Quality and Outcomes Framework, GP practices score points achieved against a range of indicators, such as the number of patients with heart disease who also receive a flu jab. The more points the practice achieves, and the more services they provide the more income the practice can generate, although the final sum paid to practices is subject to workload and the relative health of patients in an area. This extra money is intended for reinvestment in GP to provide better services to benefit their patients.
Throughout the year of 2004 – 2005 NHS GP practices scored highly on this scoring system which covered all aspects of care from diagnosis and ongoing management of conditions to record keeping, communication and the overall experience of patients.
On average, each practice achieved 91% of the points available – or 959 out of a possible 1050 points.
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Stalbridge Surgery achieved 1037 points, or 98.7% from the total available. The extra revenue generated from this framework has allowed us to maintain a high level of access (access survey) to our health professionals e.g the introduction of our new full time GP partner Dr Peter Furber.
In addition to this computer based programme there is a requirement for an assessment visit from the Primary Care Trust to assess a variety of paper based management issues, protocols and policies. This visit was very successful for the practice and below is some of the feedback from the assessors:-
Clinical Assessor
- Excellent practice. Have clearly used the QOF process as an opportunity to refine many clinical and non-clinical processes
- Extensive and co-ordninated use of IT
- Medicines management – excellent, linking present drugs to clinical problems.
Lay Assessor
- The practice has produced evidence of a very high standard
- Impressive information for new patients.
PCT Representative
- Very well integrated practice supported by a comprehensive information and communication system
- Delivery of healthcare well structured and of a high quality.
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