Source · Select Committees · Health and Social Care Committee
Recommendation 34
34
Accepted in Part
Paragraph: 117
Imperative for NHS England to abolish QOF/IIF, reinvesting funds into core contract.
Recommendation
NHS England should abolish the Quality and Outcomes Framework and Impact and Investment Framework and re-invest the funding in the core contract, weighted to account for patient demographics including deprivation, to incentivise continuity of care.
Government Response Summary
The government partially accepts, stating that for 2023/24 there will be a 25% reduction in QOF indicators and the IIF will be reduced from 36 to 5. It will formally consult on the future of QOF during 2023/24 and engage with stakeholders on IIF reform.
Paragraph Reference:
117
Government Response
Accepted in Part
HM Government
Accepted in Part
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.