This briefing examines how well primary care trusts oversee the quality and outcomes framework, which incentivises GPs to improve their services to patients. It looks at whether PCTs can be confident that payments to GPs are correct and justified and that they provide value for money. It highlights the great variation between practices when it comes to exception reporting, where GPs can exclude patients from their returns for payment.
The briefing outlines features of a good approach where PCTs arrange regular visits to GP practices, carried out by suitably trained GP and lay assessors, and oversee and check scores and exception rates.