The return of QOF: too much, too soon? (13 April 2022)

Summary

Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF) might be back this month – but for practices the work never went away, practices managers have told Management in Practice.

NHS England announced the resumption of the payments system last December after QOF was part-suspended in 2021/22 to free up time for Covid vaccinations.

But while the QOF system was on hold, many practices have carried on with QOF targets throughout the pandemic, continuing to measure their performance against these indicators..

Now the programme has officially returned, despite concerns that the system does not take into account the significant impact of the pandemic on long-term conditions, and could financially penalise practices. Practice managers are, once again, having to get to grips with targets, and needing to organise appointments for patients most in need of a face-to-face review, while dealing with day-to-day work pressures and staff shortages.

Here practice managers share their thoughts on the comeback of QOF, what it will mean for them and their practices, and whether its return is too much, too soon.