Quality Counts For Local GPs

Northern Ireland's GPs have 'topped the polls' for another year - in the provision of quality care for their patients.

Figures released today by the DHSSPS show that local GPs are providing the best care in the UK.

The publication of the latest Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF) achievement figures by doctors' GP practices across Northern Ireland have been welcomed.

Commenting on today's announcement, Dr Brian Dunn, Chairman of the BMA's GPs Committee in Northern Ireland, said: "I am delighted and proud to see these results because they not only reflect the great service being given to patients here but also the dedication and commitment of GPs in providing that service.

"Patients receive the same quality care right across Northern Ireland. Irrespective of where you live, the Quality & Outcomes Framework applies and patients rightly receive the same access to treatment whether they reside in a deprived area or a more prosperous one," he said.

Dr Dunn continued: "GPs are working hard in targeting the diseases that kill and which previously were only treated in the hospital sector. Heart disease, cancer, kidney disease. They also treat a huge range of other illnesses including asthma, diabetes, stroke, depression and dementia."

Meanwhile, the NI Health Minister Michael McGimpsey said that the new figures show sustained high achievement for the provision of quality care to patients.

He said they directly reflect the his determination to "drive forward improvements in patient health care in Northern Ireland".

The Minister said: "GP practices in Northern Ireland have demonstrated their commitment to improving quality patient care and have delivered outstanding results under the Quality and Outcomes Framework this year.

"Practices have achieved almost 99% of the total points available, maintaining their high performance from previous years and they are remunerated, through QOF payments, for achieving excellent results in the provision of high quality care.

"This investment in GP practices directly benefits patients through the high quality care they receive.

"GPs in Northern Ireland can justifiably be proud that the care they are providing is bringing about real improvements in their patients' quality of life," he said.

Under the new QOF guidelines, GP practices are rewarded for outcomes they achieve with their patients and the practices' doctors, nurses and staff work as a team to provide high quality care to their patients, for example in the management of chronic disease.

However, the praise for NI doctors comes against a background of dissent in many mainland-based GP practices.

The BMA has today sent a new poster and leaflet to all GP practices across England urging patients to take action against disputed plans to impose GP-led health centres and polyclinics in every English health region.

The move is part of the BMA's 'Support Your Surgery' campaign, which is limited in its scope to England alone, though local medics are keeping a watching brief.

See: BMA Steps Up 'Support Your Surgery' Campaign

(BMcC)