GPs gain QOF concessions in return for swine flu work
pharmafile | September 17, 2009 | News story | |Â Â NHS, qofÂ
GPs are to administer swine flu jabs in the government’s forthcoming vaccination scheme in return for some administrative concessions.
These include giving some latitude to GP practices on the Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF) indicators – the measures through which GPs’ care is rewarded.
Those vaccinating a higher percentage of “at risk” patients, compared to last year’s seasonal flu numbers, will in effect have their thresholds on patient experience lowered.
The government came to this agreement with the General Practitioners Committee of the British Medical Association and NHS Employers, and no change will be made to the QOF in 2010-11.
The Department of Health says it has already placed orders with GSK and Baxter for enough H1N1 vaccine for the UK population.
Surgeries will receive £5.25 per dose of vaccine given, and if extra funds are needed for this they will come from the Department of Health budget to pay for more staff.
Health secretary Andy Burnham said: “The NHS is able to double its critical care capacity, and we have now finalised plans for the delivery of the vaccine.
“We can begin offering it to people as soon as it has been licensed by the European regulators,” he added.
The government’s line is that the jab is the best defence against the swine flu virus and the vaccination plan will save the NHS money in the long term.
The autumn programme will target the nine million people most at risk from complications and it is expected that patients will receive two doses of the vaccine.
However, the government admits this advice may change following clinical trials.
Earlier this month a study of Novartis’ pandemic swine formulation showed it could offer enough protection after just one dose, which would help overcome potential shortages.
The manufacturer’s investigational A (H1N1) indicated a strong immune response in 80% of subjects after a single jab.
“We are confident that GPs and their teams will have the resources they need in order to run the swine flu vaccination programme smoothly and efficiently,” said Laurence Buckman, chairman of the BMA’s GPs Committee.
As part of the deal GPs will get an extra six weeks to collect data on childhood immunisations to allow them to carry out swine flu vaccinations.
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