GPs report QOF achievement payment problems

NHS England is investigating concerns raised by GPs about recent QOF calculations and aspiration payments. On Friday last week the CQRS Project team at NHS England wrote to GP practices in England telling them that it has identified discrepancies with some prevalence calculations which could impact on some practices’ achievement and as a result on final payment and aspiration.

Andrew Pow, executive board member of the Association of Independent Specialist Medical Accountants, said: “This is yet further evidence of increasing problems in the GP payment system which is letting practices down across the country.”

Mr Pow and his AISMA colleagues are advising practices to compare their QOF data with last year’s figures to anticipate whether they will be affected by the problems.

While NHS England has assured practices that they will all receive aspiration payments on time, it is advising practices and local commissioners to temporarily stop any QOF approval processes.