Quality and Outcomes Framework - 2006-07

If you are already familiar with QOF, you can go straight to the information you need using the resources listed above.

If you are new to QOF, we recommend you read the QOF information page.

You can also browse the QOF online database to find results for your local surgery. The national Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF) was introduced as part of the new General Medical Services (GMS) contract on 1 April 2004. Participation by practices in the QOF is voluntary, though participation rates are very high, with most Personal Medical Services (PMS) practices also taking part.

Information in this bulletin was derived from the Quality Management Analysis System (QMAS), a national system developed by NHS Connecting for Health. QMAS uses data from general practices to calculate individual practices' QOF achievement. The national QOF is based on the best available research evidence. It is not about performance management of general practice but about resourcing and then rewarding good practice.

From April 2006 a revised QOF was introduced, including new clinical areas and revising some clinical indicators. The revised QOF continued to measure achievement against a set of evidence-based indicators, but allowed a possible maximum score of 1,000 points. The reduction from the previous maximum of 1,050 points was due to the reallocation of resources associated with the 'access bonus' (previously 50 QOF points) to become part of an 'access directed enhanced service'.

The revised QOF measures achievement against 135 indicators and one measure of depth of care, known as holistic care. Practices score points on the basis of achievement against each indicator, up to a maximum of 1,000 points.