QOF ‘menu’ published

NICE has published a proposed ‘menu’ of Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF) indicators for 2012/2013.

The proposed list includes three new indicators for the support and treatment for smokers, two to assess physical activity, one for asthma, plus a set on fragility fractures in osteoporosis patients.

Christine Carson, Programme Director of NICE’s Centre for Clinical Practice, says the indicators have already been tested “to make sure they work”.

The Framework is a voluntary incentive scheme that rewards GP practices for improvements in the quality of care for patients.

Introduced in 2004, NICE took over the management of arranging the development and review of indicators in April 2009.

The Institute has recommended that 12 existing indicators be retired, including three for depression and two for diabetes, and also advised replacing a further four.

The selection of the final indicators for inclusion within the Framework will be decided by NHS Employers, on behalf of the UK health departments, and the General Practitioners Committee (GPC) of the British Medical Association (BMA) and published later in the year.