As we come into 2022, it is worth noting that there have been some changes to the Quality and Outcome Framework (QOF) guidelines. This short article will help to highlight some of the Quality and Outcome Framework guidelines for the year 2021/2022.
There are quite a few QOF guidelines worth noting for the year 2021/2022. Namely that there have been some significant changes that have been made to the Serious Mental Health Domain, which now has a total of three new indicators.
Due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been the introduction of a new Vaccination and Immunisation domain, which has four new indicators. Some indicators have timed features, these must be tended to quickly and within the given timeframe.
It is also worth noting that it may be worth considering the current protocols for the impact of things like refusal to engage or failure to attend for things like childhood immunisations.
There have also been several updates to guidelines surrounding Heart Failure, Asthma, Diabetes, Cancer Care, Quality Improvement and Personal Care Adjustments. Most of the changes to guidelines have been made about Serious Mental Health, Vaccinations and Cancer Care.
As of April 1st 2021, QOF has been reinstated. In 2021/2022 QPF will consist of a total of 635 points. This figure is made up of the following points in the respective areas.
| Domain | Number of QOF Points |
| The Clinical Health Domain | 401 QOF Points |
| The Public Health Domain | 160 QOF Points |
| The Quality Improvement Domain | 74 QOF Points |
The value per one QOF point in the year 2021/2022 amounts to a figure of £201.16. This has increased from a figure of £194.83. a total increase of £6.33. However, the value per QOF point will be adjusted accordingly depending on the size of a particular practice and the number of the population that it covers.
It is also worth noting that the average population for each QOF point has been increased from a figure of 8,799 to a figure of 9,085. A total increase of 259. This means that the value of one QOF point for every 1,000 patients works out to be £22.14. This is solved by dividing the average number of patients per area (9,085) by the value of one QOF point (£201.16).
Most of the changes to the QOF guidelines in 2021/2022 are about serious mental illness, cancer care and then vaccinations. It is important to be very aware that you are unable to make any type of adjustments to personalised care about vaccinations for the majority of vaccination cases.
As some indicators are time-sensitive, it is important to tend to these as quickly as possible, once a timed intervention is missed then sadly there is nothing you can do about it.
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