Press Release

Page last updated: 29-SEP-2005

Press Release

Thursday 29 September 2005

Updated and expanded publication of the General Medical Services Quality & Outcomes Framework (QOF) data for Scotland

The statistics are published today by Information Services (ISD) NHS National Services Scotland at http://www.isdscotland.org/qof. 

Key features of the publication:

  • More detailed information available: Scottish QOF data were published for the first time in May.  Now further, more detailed information is being published, specifically achievement against each of the 146 individual QOF indicators at Scotland, NHS Board and practice level.
  • Existing information has been updated: This release includes data for additional practices that were not included in May.  The updated tables contain a range of summary information such as points and payments achieved by each practice within an NHS Board, as well as prevalence rates for ten diseases or health conditions.

Key messages:

  • High participation: Despite being a voluntary arrangement, almost all practices in Scotland participated in the QOF during 2004/05.
  • Overall achievement: Across all GMS practices, 92.5% of the maximum points available were achieved.
  • Achievement within clinical areas: Across all GMS practices, the percentages of maximum points achieved in 10 clinical areas were as follows:
    • Asthma: 90%
    • Coronary Heart Disease (CHD): 95%
    • Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD): 88%
    • Mental Health: 90%
    • Hypertension (high blood pressure): 95%
    • Cancer: 92%
    • Stroke and Transient Ischaemic Attack (TIA): 94%
    • Hypothyroidism: 99%
    • Epilepsy: 86%
    • Diabetes: 96%
  • Payments: Payments associated with the QOF accounted for approximately £77 million of a total £590 million invested in general practices in Scotland for 2004/05 (across all contract types - GMS, "17c" and "2c").

Footnotes for editors

1. QOF is a new system that was introduced on 1st April 2004 as a fundamental part of the new General Medical Services (GMS) contract.  It is designed to remunerate general practices for providing good quality care to their patients, and to help fund work to further improve the quality of health care delivered.  The framework has four main components focusing on:

  • Clinical standards
  • Organisational standards
  • Experience of patients
  • Additional services

2. The QOF measures achievement against a range of evidence-based indicators, with points and payments awarded according to the level of achievement.  It is a voluntary part of the new GMS contract; general practices can aspire to achieve all, part, or none of the points available in QOF.  Additionally, practices with agreements or contracts other than GMS ("section 2C" or "section 17C" practices) may choose to participate in some or all of the QOF.

3. This is an ISD Scotland National Statistics release. National Statistics are produced to high professional standards and adhere to codes of practice. They undergo regular quality assurance reviews to ensure that they meet customer needs. They are produced free from any political interference.

4. ISD collects, collates and maintains a wide range of health service data sets, which form the national corporate database for NHSScotland. By providing information, statistical services and effective use of information management and technology, ISD contributes to health improvement by informing decision making, research and debate within the NHSScotland, government departments and other organisations. Information Services is part of the NHS National Services Scotland. For more information about ISD go to http://www.isdscotland.org.

For further information on the QOF publication contact:

Julie Kidd , Principal Information Analyst, Healthcare Information Group, ISD
email: Julie.Kidd@isd.csa.scot.nhs.uk
phone: 0131 275 6450


 


Main contact: Email Julie Kidd