Northern Ireland Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF) Information 2021/22

The Department of Health today published the achievement figures from the Northern Ireland Quality and Outcomes Framework 2021/22.

The Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF), is a system to remunerate general practices for providing good quality care to their patients, and to help fund work to further improve the quality of health care delivered. It is a fundamental part of the General Medical Services (GMS) Contract, which was introduced on 1st April 2004.

The QOF measures achievement against a range of evidence-based indicators, with points and payments awarded according to the level of achievement. The framework has four main components:

• Clinical Indicators
• Public Health Indicators (including additional services)
• Patient Experience
• Records & Systems Indicators           

This robust dataset is made up of information voluntarily provided by all general practices in Northern Ireland.²

The data source for QOF is the Payment Calculation and Analysis System (PCAS), a Northern Ireland IT system that supports the QOF payment process.

Key Points

• The average achievement in Northern Ireland was 349.5 of the 547 points available (63.9%).  The average achievement rate for Local Commissioning Groups (LCG) ranged from 58.3% in the Belfast LCG to 67.7% in the Southern LCG. 

• During 2021/22, due to the continuing Covid-19 pandemic, the DoH agreed with NIGPC and the HSCB to continue standing down elements of the GMS contract.  The majority of Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF) activity and reporting remained suspended in 2021/2022. QOF data therefore, for 2021/2022, may have been impacted upon.

• This year’s publication has a new style report and web navigation.

Read the report on the Department website.

An interactive dashboard has also been developed to accompany this statistical release; access on the NISRA website.

Notes to editors: 

1. The QOF data tables and reports are published by the Department of Health (NI) via the Statistics Section of the website.  
2. This is the eighteenth year of operation of the Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF). Despite being a voluntary arrangement, all practices in Northern Ireland have participated in the QOF since its introduction in April 2004. An agreement regarding QOF achievement was in place between the HSCB and 2 practices in relation to issues which the HSCB recognised would impact on QOF achievement in 2021/22.  These issues related to a practice merger and a change of Contract.  These 2 practices are excluded from all analysis.
3. For statistical or data queries, please contact Information & Analysis Directorate on 02890 522700 or at qofdataenquiries@health-ni.gov.uk
4. For policy queries, please contact Primary Care Medical Services Branch, Primary Care Directorate on 02890 520241 or at gmsenquiries@health-ni.gov.uk
5. For media enquiries please contact DoH Press Office by email pressoffice@health-ni.gov.uk.
6. Follow us on Twitter @healthdpt.
7. The Executive Information Service operates an out of hours service for media enquiries only between 1800hrs and 0800hrs Monday to Friday and at weekends and public holidays. The Duty Press Officer can be contacted on 028 9037 8110.

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