29th October 2009
New NICE Topic Suggestion Facility for QOF
As part of the new Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF) process managed by NICE, they want to ensure that all stakeholders from all participating countries have the opportunity to contribute to the development of future indicators for the QOF. As such, they are launching two new online facilities to enable people to suggest topic areas for the development of new QOF indicators and comment on existing indicators. The facilities went live on Tuesday 15 September 2009 and can be accessed here.
There will be further opportunity to suggest topics in Spring 2010 and details will be made available via the NICE website in early 2010.
Suggest a Topic
The online topic suggestion facility provides a list of evidence-based recommendations drawn from NICE clinical and public health guidance that could provide potential new QOF indicators. Over time this facility will be expanded to provide the opportunity to suggest a wider range of evidence-based sources, accredited through NHS Evidence. Each suggestion will be reviewed against the criterion presented in the submission form and suitable suggestions for the QOF will be presented to the independent Primary Care QOF Indicator Advisory Committee for consideration. The topic suggestion facility will be open for four weeks from the time of going live.
Comment on Existing Indicators
The online facility to comment on QOF indicators enables people to input into the review of existing indicators. Please note that comments will be used to review existing QOF indicators against criteria, including evidence of unintended consequences, significant changes to the evidence base or changes in current practice. Comments will be fed into a rolling programme of reviews and considered by the independent Primary Care QOF Indicator Advisory Committee.
Please note that all contributions will be reviewed following the process laid out in the QOF process guide (available on the NICE website) and only those suggestions and comments that fulfil’ the criteria for consideration will be presented to the Advisory Committee. The recommendations of the Committee will then be fed into negotiations between the NHS Employers, on behalf of the UK Health Departments and the General Practitioners Committee (GPC) representing the British Medical Association (BMA).
NICE welcomes contributions from all areas.
If you have any queries, relating to the facilities, please e-mail qof@nice.org.uk.
(Source – NICE)