QOF will be redeveloped to include a greater emphasis on primary prevention under the plans.
Funding for this element of QOF will come from the DoH’s new body, Public Health England.
The White Paper explains: ‘To increase the incentives for GP practices to improve the health of their patients, the department proposes that a sum at least equivalent to 15% of the current value of the QOF should be devoted to evidence-based public health and primary prevention indicators from 2013.’
Public Health England will also strengthen the focus on public health issues in the education and training of GPs, the department said.
Speaking at the launch of the White Paper, Care Services Minister Paul Burstow said the new proposals would ‘shape the environment’ of public health.
He said the plans put the budget holders, local leaders and healthcare professionals in one place for the first time, allowing more 'in tune' strategies to tackle England's public health.
At least 15% of QOF funding to be for public health
A sum equal to at least 15% of all QOF funding will be assigned to public health and primary prevention indicators from 2013, the government has proposed in its public health White Paper.
