The QOF framework sets out a range of national standards based on the best available research evidence.
The standards are divided into four domains:
- clinical standards linked to the care of patients suffering from chronic diseases
- organisational standards relating to records and information, communicating with patients, education and training, medicines management and clinical and practice management
- additional services, covering cervical screening, child health surveillance, maternity services and contraceptive services
- patient experience, based on patient surveys and length of consultations
A set of indicators has been developed for each domain to describe different aspects of performance. Practices are free to choose the domains that they want to focus on.
Changes to QOF 2009/10
NHS Employers and the General Practitioners Committee have agreed to reallocate 72 Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF) points to seven clinical areas, to reward practices for delivering a range of new services for patients.
The seven clinical priorities are:
- helping to prevent the development of cardiovascular disease in people diagnosed with high blood pressure - 13 points
- improved advice and choice on contraceptive methods - 10 points
- a new indicator for depression to reduce early cessation of treatment - 20 points
- improvements to the indicators for chronic kidney disease (11 points), diabetes (7 points) and chronic lung disease (2 points) - totalling 20 points
- improved drug treatment for people with heart failure - 9 points
We have produced more detailed information for primary care trusts and practices.
Updated FAQs - chronic kidney disease
We have updated the frequently asked questions (FAQs) on diagnosing and managing chronic kidney disease (CKD), that were originally published in 2007. Produced jointly with the General Practitioners Committee, the updated FAQs now include the latest available evidence and subsequent changes to the relevant QOF indicators.