QoF to become GQ

The Quality and Outcomes Framework is to be renamed, EHI Primary Care has learned.

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence became responsible for QoF today and EHI primary Care understands that its first step will be to announce a rebrand for the scheme which will henceforth be known as the GQ (GP Quality) scheme.

An insider at the agency told EHI Primary Care: “We felt the old name didn’t really tell people what the scheme was all about. GQ might sound like a men’s magazine but it is also a much snappier title for the scheme.”

Other changes that NICE is thought to be considering including change the name of the ‘indicators’ to ‘trends’.

This will mean that rather than having a portion of their income based on ‘QoF indicators’ GPs will now have their performance matched to ‘GQ trends’.

It is understood the BMA has not been consulted about the proposals and is likely to oppose any name changes.

Dr Neil Paul, a GP in Sandbach, Cheshire,  told EHI Primary Care: “I don’t see what’s wrong with QoF. If I start telling my partners were doing the GQ scheme and they have to stay on top of the latest trends they’re probably going to think I’m asking them to take part in a fashion show.”