Source · Select Committees · Health and Social Care Committee
Recommendation 21
21
Accepted
Paragraph: 79
Continuity of care is a vital, evidence-backed goal benefiting NHS general practice patients and GPs.
Conclusion
We believe that continuity of care is one of the most important goals for NHS general practice. There is a wealth of evidence that higher levels of continuity of care in general practice are better for both patients and GPs themselves. Continuity of care is more efficient for GPs, improves their shared decision making with patients, and provides them with greater professional satisfaction and development. More importantly, it improves patients’ experience of their care and leads to significantly improved outcomes including reduced hospital and A&E attendances. And rather than being impossible given current pressures there is also evidence to suggest 42 The future of general practice that high continuity is also a more efficient use of resources. One way to improve continuity would be to cap individual GP list sizes, which we believe is a pragmatic solution that should be explored as outlined later in this report.
Government Response Summary
The government partially accepts the recommendation, stating it will reduce QOF and IIF indicators for 2023/24 to address micro-incentives. It also commits to formally consulting on the future of QOF during 2023/24 and engaging with stakeholders on IIF reform.
Paragraph Reference:
79
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
Partially accept. The Department recognises the Committee’s concern that there are too many micro- incentives in general practice. Reflecting this in the short-term, for 2023/24 there will be a 25% reduction in QOF indicators (from 74 to 55) as QOF disease register indicator points are awarded to practices based on 2022/23 outturn and releasing £97m of funding. The Investment and Impact Fund (IIF) has also been reduced from 36 to 5 indicators. Both the Department and NHS England have acknowledged that there are opportunities to improve the use of incentives, including a need to focus more on outcomes and transparency. The Delivery Plan for Recovering Access to Primary Care, published on 9 May 2023, reflects this and agrees with the Committee that there is a need for greater emphasis on outcomes and transparency. The Department and NHS England will formally consult on the future of QOF during 2023/24 and engage with stakeholders on IIF reform more generally. The Department is committed to constructive engagement with stakeholders and the profession during the reform process.