The average score across the region in 2005/6 was 1,028 points, a 4 per cent rise from 989 in 2004/5.
The lowest recorded score in the region was 791 points. Some 320 out of 365 practices scored in excess of 1,000 points.
Practices in Scotland almost caught up with Northern Ireland in 2005/6, however, achieving an average of 1,026 points, up 6 per cent from 971 in 2004/5 (GP, 7 July 2006).
Welsh practices achieved 1,003 points on average, the lowest score in the four UK countries, up from 947 in 2004/5 (GP, 22 September 2006).
The average quality score for England in 2005/6 was 1,011 , which was up from 959 in 2004/5.
GPC Northern Ireland chairman Dr Brian Dunn said high scores were down to hard work. He predicted scores for 2006/7 could fall.
‘The GPC accepted value-for-money changes to the quality framework, and CKD and depression mean extra work,’ he said. ‘If scores stay the same, GPs will be working harder to achieve this.’
Quality scores
Average scores 2005/6:
Northern Ireland 1,028
Scotland 1,026
England 1,011
Wales 1,003
