Press release: Performance indicators must be underpinned by investment

27 May 2005

The Scottish NHS Confederation today (Friday May 27) welcomed the very high levels of attainment GP practices have achieved against the Quality and Outcomes Framework of the new GMS contract but cautioned that the better than expected results put an additional strain on budgets.

Scottish NHS Confederation Director Hilary Robertson said:   "GP practices have significantly outstripped expectations. This is good news for patients and demonstrates that services are continually improving.  However, as a result of GP practices exceeding the targets, NHS boards find themselves under further financial pressure." 

Ms Robertson continued:  "NHS boards across the country anticipated GP practices exceeding the target of 64 per cent of the available points in the framework and budgeted accordingly. But the results still outstripped even these revised expectations.  This means boards must find the difference between the costs of practices meeting 64 per cent of the maximum possible and what was actually achieved, which at over 92 per cent was almost half as much again, when financial room for manoeuvre is already restricted."

Clearly, practices have risen to the challenge and the Confederation expects that the further development of the Quality and Outcomes Framework will be a useful way to secure even greater improvements in services, added Ms Robertson.  "However, experience of what has been achieved this year, must be used as the basis for decisions about how to fund the contract in the coming years so that boards are not required to divert money from other services in order to meet these costs."

Ends

 

Notes for editors

1. The Scottish NHS Confederation is an independent membership body representing Scotland's NHS boards and special health boards. We are committed to improving health policy and practice.

Contact details

For further information contact: Donald Crichton on 07775582123

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