GP performance ratings published
Patients can now measure the performance of their local doctors’ surgery following the publication of new indicators.
Under a scheme introduced last year, each GP surgery is assessed on a range of organisational and clinical criteria.
Practices are given a score for factors such as appointment times and chronic disease care, and receive a payment of between £77 and £124 for each point.
Figures published today, based on the first year of the quality and outcomes framework, show that on average surgeries across the country scored 959 out of a possible 1050 points.
The framework was introduced in April 2004 as part of the new GP contract, and while joining it is voluntary, the majority of GP practices have opted to do so.
It means an average sized GP practice which gets an average score will be receiving £74,299 on top of its existing budget.
Health Minister Lord Warner said: “I congratulate GPs on their achievement and for their high participation in this scheme. The high scores show that the new GP contract we put in place last year is proving successful in giving practices a real incentive to improve the quality of care for NHS patients and to provide a wide range of services locally.
“Increased investment in local health and care services is good news for patients, who benefit from better care and provides a basis for even greater improvement in services outside hospitals – a key aim.”
Dr Hamish Meldrum, chairman of the British Medical Association’s GPs committee said: “These are outstanding results and first and foremost they are good news for patients. The quality and outcomes framework in the new national GP contract has shown that GPs can quickly adapt to new and better ways of working.
“These results are mirrored throughout the UK and are proof that investment in general practice pays off. The resources bring results which benefit patients and deliver high quality NHS care.”
However, he stressed that patients should not assume that just because a practice received a lower score that the standard of care it offered was lower quality.
Higher numbers of patients with certain types of diseases could make it harder to score highly, as could a shortage of doctors or nurses in a practice with unfilled vacancies.
The NHS Alliance revealed that because GP practices have performed better than expected, the scheme will cost around £200 million more than originally planned.
Primary care trusts, who are responsible for paying out to GP practices, will not, however, receive any additional funding.
NHS Alliance chairman Dr Michael Dixon said: “It was not primary care trusts who under-estimated the quality that GPs deliver. Those who have criticised PCT financial management should remember that they have been saddled with costs agreed nationally between the Department of Health and NHS employers.
“But we should all be proud of what GPs and primary care have achieved. General practice in this country is the envy of the world and we should celebrate it.”
