QoF scores likely to continue to rise

Practices will have achieved even higher scores from the Quality and Outcomes Framework in the last 12 months than in the first year of the new contract, according to GP representatives.

Dr Hamish Meldrum, chairman of the British Medical Association’s General Practitioner Committee (GPC), said that although national figures have yet to be published it was extremely likely that the average practice total from the QoF would be higher than last year.

He added: “Most practices will have improved their points total because practices have now got their system in place, patients are targeted better and are used to being called in. We believe that means significant improvements in patient care and is good news for the NHS.”

GPs faced widespread media coverage last week over claims from medical accountant that some GPs were now earning £250,000 a year. Dr Meldrum said the average GP income in England was actually £95,000.

A press statement issued by the BMA last week claimed that research already showed that the new contract was yielding health improvements for patients. It said that QoF achievements on hypertension meant that over a five year period 8,700 patients in England will avoid having a heart attack, stroke, angina or heart failure

Dr Meldrum said the GPC now hopes to produce more evidence over the coming weeks about how patients’ health is likely to be improved as a result of GPs’ achievements through the QoF.

In 2004/5 practices in England earned an average of 958 points out of a possible 1050. This would have earned a practice with average list size and prevalence £74,245. Scores in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland were 971, 949 and 989 respectively.

The payment per point rose in 2005/6 from £77.50 to £124.60 so that practices achieving maximum points in 2005/6 will be paid £130,830.

Final QoF figures for 2005/6 are likely to be published by the end of September.