Practices in England have started to report low scores in the access section of the patient survey but national data is being withheld until June.

GPC chairman Dr Laurence Buckman predicted results in England, Wales and Northern Ireland would echo those in Scotland, where national data is available. Low response rates have had a 'devastating effect' on practices, said GPC Scotland chairman Dr Dean Marshall.

The questions fund PE7 and PE8 components of the QOF, worth £7,416 to an average-sized practice. Earlier this week one Scottish practice reported a loss of up to £16,000.

Those with results much lower than expected or based on a low response rate should put in a QOF appeal to their PCT, said the GPC.

‘We have had meetings with senior figures in the DoH and pressed that they must look at this as a matter of urgency.

‘We plan to offer our full support to practices that have lost out because their results are insignificant.'

A ‘legally water-tight' template for the appeal is being finalised to be distributed to LMCs, said Dr Buckman.

• Comment below or email tom.ireland@haymarket.com to tell us how your practice has fared and whether you think the survey is unfair.