The new General Medical Services (nGMS) Contract

Latest News

QOF INDICATOR REVIEW - A NEW PROCESS FROM APRIL 2009
January 2010 | Quality

QOF Indicator Review - article for web site and PSD newsletter.doc

QOF CVD PP1 indicator
January 2010 | Quality

Version 16 of the QOF business rules has now been published on the NHS PCC website.
As per a teleconference earlier this year, a lower age range has been included in the rule sets for indicator CVD-PP1. The age range is now 30-74 years. The extract below was published in new@pcc yesterday given we are unable to amend the QOF guidance for 2010/11.

"The business rules have been amended (version 16.1) to exclude patients aged 30 years and under from indicator PP1. The age range for this indicator is now set as 30-74 years. Patients outside this age range should still be individually assessed and their risks reduced, although risk equations do not apply and thresholds for reductions are not currently available. PP2 applies to all age groups, as do the blood pressure control indicators in the hypertension set.
FAQs on diagnosing and managing Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)
December 2009 | Quality
A revised version of the frequently asked questions on diagnosing and managing chronic kidney disease (CKD), for primary care organisations and general practices is now available, replacing the 2007 version. Jointly produced by NHS Employers and the General Practitioners Committee, these updated FAQs include the latest available evidence and subsequent changes to the relevant indicators in the Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF), in the General Medical Services contract.
QOF FAQs CKD 2nd Edition Dec 09.pdf
Supplementary Guidance - CVD PP1
April 2009 | Quality
The link below is to supplementary guidance on the acceptable risk assessment tools for indicator CVD PP1 from April 2009. It allows for a wider range of risk assessment tools than in the original guidance notes for the indicator. http://www.pcc.nhs.uk/uploads/New%20at%20PCC%20%20Update/special_2009_05_29.html
Business Rule Sets for the QOF from 1 April 2009
June 2009 | Quality
Business Rulesets v14.0.zip | Business_Rulesets R4 v14.0.zip
SESP 2009/10
May 2009 | Quality
Revised Allocation Letter NHS Circular: PCA(M)(2009)6
QOF Guidance for GMS contract 2009/2010
March 2009 | Quality
QOF Guidance 2009
We have been informed that there was a typo in the QOF guidance on page 35 in the bullet 'Chronic Kidney Disease where the patient has an eGFR value below 30'. The '30' should be '60'. This has resulted in the guidance having a discrepancy with the supporting business rules as the business rules excludes patients with CKD stage 3 or eGFR 30-60 (i.e. read code 1Z12) from the cohort. For patients with CKD stage 3 or higher, they are already considered to have CKD and have a higher risk factor anyway. The QOF guidance available through the link to NHS Employers has been amended accordingly.
Winter 5 Guidance published
March 2009
Winter 5 guidance / NHS QIS QOF EQA - Best Practice Points This gives advice to NHS Boards regarding the key changes/requirements for the QOF review process during 2009/10.
GMS Statement of Financial Entitlement for 2009
March 2009
SFE 2009 - Circular | SFE 2009 Docs
GP Contract Agreement for 2008/09
November 2008
Circular PCA(M) (2008) 12 | Pallative Care DES - reporting template
GMS Strategic Tests Review 2007/08 NHS Scotland Report
November 2008
NHS Scotland - GMS Strategic Tests Review 2007.08
NHS Lothian GMS Impact report and presentation
October 2008
Lothian GMS Impact Report 13.11.08 | GMS Impact
QOF Guidance for GMS contract 2008/09
April 2008 | Quality
QOF Guidance V2 is now available.
QOF Patient Access Survey Q&A
October 2008 | Quality
Patient Access Survey Q&A - linked to indicators PE7 and PE8
Extended Hours Enhanced Service
August 2008 | Quality
Information for Practices and Boards is now available.
Updated information on PE7 & PE8
July 2008 | QOF
Patient access survey. Further guidance on QOF patient experience indicators PE7/8 is now available.
New QOF Queries / FAQs process
Feb 2008 | QOF

Summary of revised process for handling QOF Queries now available
QOF Queries homepage.


For details of previous news items please visit the News Archive

Other Information

Workforce reports
July 2008
Workforce reports by NHS area have been produced in pdf format and can be accessed from the list below;
Scotland | Ayrshire & Arran | Borders | Dumfries & Galloway
Fife | Forth Valley | Grampian | Greater Glasgow & Clyde | Highland
Lanarkshire | Lothian | Orkney | Shetland | Tayside | Western Isles
East Region | North Region | West Region

 

About

Policy Intentions:

The new General Medical Services contract was introduced in April 2004 and as noted in “investing in General Practice” (the Blue Book)…the new GMS contract will

(i)     provide new mechanisms to allow practices greater flexibility to determine the range of services they wish to provide, including through opting out of additional services and out-of-hours care

(ii)    reward practices for delivering clinical and organisational quality, through the evidence-based quality and outcomes framework which is in line with professional practice, and for improving the patient experience

(iii)   facilitate the modernisation of practice infrastructure including premises and IT, support the development of best human resource management practice and help GPs achieve a better work/life balance, support the development of practice management, and recognise the different needs of GPs in different localities, including GPs in deprived communities and in rural and remote areas

(iv)   provide for unprecedented and guaranteed levels of investment through a Gross Investment Guarantee, which replaces the current flawed pay mechanisms. The contract allocates resources on a more equitable basis and allows practice flexibility as to how these are deployed from the global sum.

(v)    as a result of these mechanisms, support the delivery of a wider range of higher quality services for patients and empower patients to make best use of primary care services

(vi)   simplify the regulatory regime around how the contractual mechanisms will work

(vii)  be implemented as soon as practicable in all GMS practices, and be revised following consultation and negotiation with the General Practitioners Committee (GPC) of the BMA

In line with the principles of the contract framework, NHS Employers (on behalf of the four UK Health Departments) and BMA - GPC have agreed to a number of changes to the GMS for  2006/07.  These changes reflected both on experience of the new GMS contract since its introduction in April 2004 and the need to develop the contract in line with national NHS policies.  The changes are:

      • Better services for patients
  • Fair to the Profession
  • Good value for public money

 

The review process incorporated the need for greater recognition of different policies and needs in the four UK countries, and therefore negotiations took place in Scotland between SGPC  and SEHD/Scottish NHS Employers to develop Scottish Enhanced services which meet Scotland's' needs.

 

It is anticipated that there will be negotiations during  2006/07 to agree changes for  2007/08 onwards.

 

Supporting implementation:

During 2005/06 the agenda for GMS moved to greater emphasis on implementation across NHS Scotland. At a national (Scotland) level implementation has been led by the GMS Leads Group, supported by the different multiprofessional working groups. At local level Pay Modernisation Boards oversee and support implementation through Primary Care Organisations and CHPs.

Further Information

If you require further information regarding the new General Medical Services Contract in Scotland please contact:

GMS/Primary Care Programme Support Team
Email: nationalgmsprog@nhslothian.scot.nhs.uk