Informatica updates QoF software

Informatica Systems has released an updated version of its Contract+ software to cover the latest changes to the Quality and Outcomes Framework.

The company, now part of the BMJ Group, said Contract+ is the only third party QoF product accredited by NHS Connecting for Health and it can now help GPs meet the latest QoF targets.

Philip Brown, director of software development at Informatica Systems, said: “We have been able to adapt Contract+ quickly to meet the challenging environment of the new QoF and ensure that GPs are not disadvantaged by having a QoF support system which is already out of date.

"In addition, work is underway to provide support for the new Quality Premium points.”

Informatica said Contract+ helps GP practices to maximise their QoF performance via interactive prompts and comprehensive reporting.

It said it also enables GPs and practice managers to manage their workload as well as identify their current QoF status and where further work is needed to gain additional points.

The new QoF deal, agreed by NHS Employers and the BMA last month, means 116.5 points have been scrapped from the framework; with most of the money used to fund new organisational indicators for Improving Quality and Productivity.

These include rewards for cost-effective prescribing and reducing emergency admissions and referral rates.

Dr Simon Clay, senior partner of the Poplars GP surgery in Erdington, Birmingham said: "The software is, in summary, a joy to use and the new version should allow clinicians across the country to start work immediately on the challenging changes introduced in this year’s QOF rules."

Dr Laurence Buckman, chairman of the BMA’s GP Committee, said: “I support the introduction of new software that can help GPs manage their performance effectively as this is a vital part of ensuring that they deliver efficient patient care which helps to improve outcomes for patients.”