Release QoF data if asked, BMA advises

GPs are being advised to release Quality and Outcomes Framework (QoF) data before national figures are published if their practices are asked to do so under the Freedom of Information Act.

The British Medical Association’s General Practitioner Committee (GPC) has released new guidance (www.bma.org.uk/ap.nsf/Content/freedomfaqs) about the Freedom of Information which advises practices to be open about data relating to the quality of their services.

The guidance says that the GPC and the Department of Health intend to take the burden of releasing data away from practices by publishing practice data annually with added information to put the figures into context.

The guidance adds: “Until this time, GPC are advising that to withhold of data could be viewed as detrimental to the profession and that it would be more beneficial to be seen as publicly accountable.”
Dr Hamish Meldrum, chairman of the GPC, said: “We believe GPs and their teams have done a magnificent job in delivering unparalleled standard of care to their patients and that the QoF information will demonstrate this.”

GPs can earn up to 1050 quality points under the QoF for delivering evidence-based care and the average for practices in the UK is expected to be between 800 and 1000 points.

Dr Meldrum added: “It is a priority for the GPC to ensure that this information is published in a fair and understandable way. As part of the publication scheme the information on each practice will be put in context so that the figures can be clearly understood and not merely left open to over-simplistic interpretation. GPC negotiators will be involved in the agreement of a national framework to
try to ensure this happens."

The national publication of figures will be organised by the Health and Social Care Information Centre (HSCIC) which will take the information from the Quality, Prevalence and Indicator Database (QPID).

The HSCIC has said it will be early August before national figures can be published this year. As reported in EHI Primary Care last week, that date is being challenged by Gordon Blackwell, the owner of an information website, who believes information should be released immediately.

He said this week that he was continuing to receive information from individual primary care trusts and that the HSCIC was compiling a list of PCTs that had refused to release data.

The guidance on the Freedom of Information Act from the GPC covers many other aspects of the FoI including responding to requests for information, exemptions, vexatious requests and financial questions. The guidance applies to England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Separate guidance for Scotland is due to be published shortly.