Findings of several studies of the impact of the QOF on care in Scotland and elsewhere in the UK are drawn together in the report, entitled ‘The quality and outcomes framework: modernising healthcare delivery and improving the management of patients with long-term conditions’.
Dr Dean Marshall, chairman of GPC Scotland, said the report demonstrated the benefits that can be derived from investing in general practice.
‘It should demonstrate to government the importance of focusing on evidence-based care that has proven clinical outcomes for patients rather than charging ahead with populist political priorities which do little to address the real health challenges that we face and will result in another example of an NHS where the level of care patients receive depends on their post code rather than getting the best care available,’ he said.
Theresa Fyffe, director of RCN Scotland, said: ‘In recognition of the growing role that practice nurses have in helping GPs achieve their incentivised QOF payments, we ask GPs to guarantee that practice nurses are remunerated accordingly and are employed under the same terms and conditions as nurses with the same level of responsibilities working directly for the NHS.’
tom.moberly@haymarket.com
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