Research says QoF can reduce inequalities
The Quality and Outcomes Framework (QoF) has helped to reduce inequalities between rich and poor areas according to a study published this week. Researchers from Manchester University’s National Primary Care Research and Development Centre divided 7637 GP practices in England into five groups based on their level of deprivation and monitored their performance on 48 […]
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QoF to be ‘crucial’ in obesity plans
The government has said the Quality and Outcomes Framework will play a “crucial” part in its plans to tackle obesity as campaigners call for the QoF to be adapted to include more indicators on sexual health. Health secretary Alan Johnson told a Fabian Society meeting last week that QoF was a crucial part of the […]
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NICE to overhaul QoF
The Quality and Outcomes Framework (QoF) is to be overhauled to focus on indicators which have the greatest impact on health and are proven to be cost-effective, according to Lord Darzi. The health minister and author of the government’s NHS Next Stage Review told Parliament’s Health Committee that the National Institute for Clinical Effectiveness (NICE) […]
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Access to NHS care records may be widened
The Department of Health is to review extending access to the NHS Care Records Service to non-NHS staff, and bodies including private sector organisations.
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QoF to be re-focused on health promotion
Lord Darzi’s NHS review outlines plans to overhaul the Quality and Outcomes Framework (QoF) to place a greater emphasis on health promotion activity. Higher Quality Care for All: The NHS Next Stage Review states that the number of organisational and “process” indicators in the QoF will be reduced as part of plans to give GPs […]
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LMCs call for more recognition of QoF
GP representatives at the BMA’s local medical committees conference have called on the government to place more recognition on the achievements of GPs in meeting Quality and Outcomes Framework (QoF) targets. The LMC members overwhelmingly backed a motion calling for more government acknowledgement of the “high achievements” of GP practices in meeting the evidence-based targets […]
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Creating a master guide to NHS websites
In his latest column GP Dr Neil Paul offers some suggestions to make it easier to find NHS information.
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GPs call for halt to centrally-held patient records
GP representatives must ensure that a halt is put to the development of centrally-held patient records, this year’s local medical committees’ conference will hear. The conference, to be held next month, is to debate a motion calling on the BMA’s General Practitioner Committee (GPC) to stop the development of centrally-held records and to promote a […]
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GP contract to continue IT DES payments
GP practices will be able to continue to claim for work done under the IM&T directed enhanced service (DES) for another 12 months, as part of the GP contract settlement for 2008/9. The agreement to extend the DES until the end of March 2009 means practices already registered to take part in the scheme will be […]
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QoF cash for quitters
GPs could be paid depending on the number of their patients who stop smoking as part of possible changes to the Quality and Outcomes Framework (QoF), according to the head of primary care commissioning for the Department of Health. Mark Britnell, DH director general of commissioning and system management, outlined a range of possible changes […]
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