Facilitator Handbook 2005 - PRIMIS

Supporting Quality Review
PRIMIS Facilitator Handbook
Supporting Quality Review
Background
The New GMS Contract, and in particular the Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF), is
designed to reward health care providers for the quality of care they provide rather than the
quantity. The incentives for practices to deliver good chronic disease management across a
range of diseases are strong both clinically and financially.
In order for practices to deliver good quality care to their patients as required under the QOF,
they need to work constructively with their PCO. The PCO can assist practices by identifying
areas that need further support at practice level and areas that require a cross-practice
approach.
Part of that process is the QOF Assessment Visit, the first of which were carried out between
October 2004 and January 2005.
The first part of this process is the collection of data, 75% of which can be collected by means
of an automated process of data collection and points calculation. These are the data items
recorded in the patient’s electronic record and used by the clinical system’s own tool for
calculating points. These data are sent to a centralised Quality Management Analysis System
(QMAS) on a monthly basis for analysis. The remaining 25% is not collectable in this way as
the data do not feature in an easily identifiable way within the clinical record. The PCO must
proactively collect these data in partnership with practices. These items of data need to be
collected in advance of any meeting with the practice for a meaningful discussion and
development of action plans. In addition, there are other strands of information regularly fed to
the PCO about practices that can be brought together to inform the discussion about the QOF.
The Training
The training takes place over a full day and is run on a group workshop basis. It covers the
following topics:
Overview of the QOF and QMAS
The recording and reviewing arrangements of the New GMS Contract and an awareness of
the data needed to support the reporting and verification process are discussed.
The annual review principles and timetable
This includes discussion on the role and make up of the visiting team and a look at the review
visit timetable and confidentiality issues.
Supporting data and evidence
Tools and techniques at the disposal of facilitators to support practices during the review
process are discussed, together with a look at some possible post-review outcomes.
Further information on the background and subject matter included in this training is available
in the form of a workbook. This is provided to facilitators during the training.
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