Maximising practice profitability through QOF targets

Background

Client: Preston Medical Practice
Service Provider: National Clinical Services (NCS)
Project Duration: 1 year
Objective: Help the practice meet its Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF) targets

Preston Medical Practice was struggling to meet its Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF) targets due to staff shortages and a backlog of tasks following the COVID-19 pandemic. The practice needed comprehensive support to ensure it met the QOF indicators, which are crucial for measuring the quality of care provided to patients and determining funding allocations.

To help the practice achieve these critical targets, National Clinical Services (NCS) appointed four full-time (WTE) pharmacists to support the practice over a one-year period.

Approach

NCS developed a structured plan to help Preston Medical Practice meet its QOF targets, with the focus on the following key areas:

• Chronic Disease Management: Pharmacists reviewed and managed patients with long-term conditions such as diabetes, asthma, COPD, and hypertension. This included updating medication plans and ensuring patients received the appropriate care in line with QOF indicators.
• Medication Reviews: The NCS team conducted medication reviews for patients on repeat prescriptions, especially those with polypharmacy (multiple medications), ensuring that treatment regimens were optimised and adhered to QOF standards for safety and effectiveness.
• Drug Monitoring: Pharmacists ensured that essential drug monitoring for high-risk medications (e.g. anticoagulants, DMARDs) was up to date, meeting QOF safety and efficacy requirements.
• QOF Alerts: The NCS team acted on all QOF alerts, including those for cardiovascular risk assessments, smoking cessation, and vaccinations. They ensured all patients received the appropriate interventions and follow-ups to comply with QOF indicators.
• Patient Records: NCS pharmacists worked to update and maintain accurate patient records, ensuring that all QOF-related data, such as blood pressure readings, cholesterol levels, and diabetes HbA1c results, were recorded in a timely and precise manner.
• Coordination with Clinical Staff: The pharmacists worked closely with the practice’s GPs, nurses, and administrative staff to ensure seamless integration and the efficient delivery of services.

Results

• QOF Targets Achieved: By the end of the 12-month period, Preston Medical Practice met all its QOF targets, ensuring continued funding and recognition for high-quality patient care.
• Improved Chronic Disease Management: Patients with long-term conditions received optimised care plans and timely reviews, leading to better health outcomes and a reduction in preventable complications.
• Accurate Drug Monitoring: The practice’s drug monitoring processes became fully compliant with QOF standards, improving patient safety and reducing the risk of adverse drug events.
• Increased Efficiency: The addition of four full-time pharmacists significantly improved the practice’s operational efficiency, reducing the workload on the GP and nursing teams and allowing them to focus on core clinical tasks.
• Up-to-Date Records: Patient records were fully updated, allowing for accurate reporting and auditing of QOF data, which also improved the practice’s readiness for future inspections.

Conclusion

National Clinical Services provided essential support to Preston Medical Practice by appointing four WTE pharmacists for one year to help the practice meet its QOF targets. This targeted approach led to improved chronic disease management, optimised medication use, accurate drug monitoring, and seamless integration into the practice’s operations. As a result, the practice not only achieved its QOF thresholds but also enhanced overall patient care and operational efficiency.