Download User Guide - HSCIC Groups

Statistical methods:
The data are presented as raw (unadjusted) figures as recorded by the practices. Ideally, comparisons between
PCOs should take into account differences between their populations in terms of age, gender and case-mix.
However, this is not possible at present as the supplied data are not broken down by these characteristics.
Interpretation of indicators:
Quality of indicator - Users of data derived from QMAS should recognise that QMAS was established as a
mechanism to support the calculation of practice QOF payments and not as a person based epidemiological tool.
It is not a comprehensive source of data on quality of care in general practice, but it is potentially a rich and
valuable source of such information, providing that the limitations of the data are acknowledged.
There have been some significant revisions to the QOF, compared to previous years. Therefore direct
comparisons cannot be made except for the indicators that have not been subject to definitional changes.
Further reading:
1.
The NHS Information Centre for health and social care. National Quality and Outcomes Framework
Achievement Data 2009/10, October 2010. Available at: http://www.ic.nhs.uk/webfiles/QOF/200910/QOF_Achievement_Prevalence_Bulletin_2009-10_v1.0.pdf
2. NHS Employers and BMA. Quality and Outcomes Framework guidance for GMS contract 2009/10, March
2010. Available at:
http://www.nhsemployers.org/Aboutus/Publications/Documents/QOF_Guidance_2009_final.pdf
3. The NHS Information Centre for health and social care. National Quality and Outcomes Framework
Achievement Data 2008/09, September 2009. Available at: http://www.ic.nhs.uk/webfiles/QOF/200809/QOF%20Achievement%20and%20Prevalence%20Bulletin%202008-09.pdf
4. NHS Employers and General Practitioners Committee BMA. Quality and Outcomes Framework guidance for
GMS contract 2008/09, April 2008. Available at:
http://www.nhsemployers.org/SiteCollectionDocuments/QUALITY_OUT_COMPLETE_CD_110209.pdf
5. The NHS Information Centre for health and social care. National Quality and Outcomes Framework Statistics
for England 2007/08. Available at:
http://www.ic.nhs.uk/webfiles/QOF/2007-08/QOF%20200708%20Statistical%20Bulletin.pdf
6. The Information Centre for health and social care, Prescribing Support Unit. National Quality and Outcomes
Framework Statistics for England 2006/07. Available at:
http://www.ic.nhs.uk/webfiles/QOF/2006-07/QOF%202006-07%20Statistical%20Bulletin.pdf
7. The Information Centre for health and social care, Prescribing Support Unit. National Quality and Outcomes
Framework or England 2005/06. Available at:
http://www.ic.nhs.uk/webfiles/publications/qof/NationalQualityOutcomesFramework280906_PDF.pdf
8. The Health and Social Care Information Centre, National Quality and Outcomes Framework Statistics for
England 2004/05. Available at:
http://www.ic.nhs.uk/webfiles/publications/qof0405/QOF0405_Statistical_Bulletin.pdf
9. Ashworth M, Armstrong D. The relationship between general practice characteristics and quality of care: a
national survey of quality indicators used in the UK Quality and Outcomes Framework, 2004-5, BMC Family
Practice, London: Ashworth and Armstrong, 2006 7:68. Available at:
http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2296/7/68
10. Department of Health, Investing in General Practice. The New General Medical Services Contract. Available
at: http://www.dh.gov.uk/assetRoot/04/07/86/58/04078658.pdf
11. Eastern Region Public Health Observatory, The limitations of Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF) data.
Briefing No. 3, 2005. Available at:
http://www.erpho.org.uk/Download/Public/12597/1/Briefing%2003%20The%20limitations%20of%20QOF%20d
ata.pdf
Updated: June 2011
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