Northern Ireland Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF) Information 2022/23

The Department of Health today published the achievement figures from the Northern Ireland Quality and Outcomes Framework 2022/23.

The Department of Health today published the achievement figures from the Northern Ireland Quality and Outcomes Framework 2022/23.

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 (cervical screening)
• patient experience
• records & systems indicators       

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

The data source for QOF is the General Practice Intelligence Platform (GPIP) /QOF System (GPIP/QOF), a Northern Ireland IT system that supports the QOF payment process.

Key Points

• achievement data was received from 318 practices whilst data is reported on 316 practices2.

• the average clinical achievement in Northern Ireland was 259.7 of the 307 points available (84.6%).  The average clinical achievement rate for Local Commissioning Groups (LCG) ranged from 83.1% in the Northern LCG to 86.8% in the Southern LCG. 

Overall achievement in the Public Health domain (only contains cervical screening) was 70.3% for 2022/23, a decrease on the achievement level seen last year (83.9%).

• during 2022/23, Reprioritising of Care (RoC) was introduced in recognition of issues and delays with regards to monitoring progress towards QOF targets and the pressures facing general practice/patient services. RoC practices were required to contract to provide NI Local Enhanced Services (LES) in respect of Proactive GP Care for Nursing & Residential Homes and Managing Winter Pressures; with QOF requirements revised with no financial detriment to practices.  Practices that did not opt for RoC were required to aspire to achieve all QOF indicator thresholds in order to generate reimbursement.

• the 269 RoC practices received a total of £27.60 million, with an average award of £102,594 per practice. 

• the 47 QOF practices received a total of £3.74 million, with an average award of £79,672 per practice.

Read the report on the Department website.

Notes to editors: 

1. The QOF report, data tables and interactive dashboard are published by the Department of Health (NI) via the Statistics Section of the website.  

2. This is the nineteenth 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 SPPG and 2 practices in relation to issues which the SPPG recognised would impact on QOF achievement in 2022/23.  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 the DoH Press Office by email pressoffice@health-ni.gov.uk.

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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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