QOF targets temporarily suspended in Leeds

Health commissioners in Leeds have temporarily suspended the majority of targets in the quality and outcomes framework (QOF) to help GPs cope with “unprecedented” winter pressures. The two-month suspension, announced in a letter to all the city’s practices, was signed by representatives of its three clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) and the local medical committee. Under the Leeds deal, GP practices will be able to opt out of 80% of the 559 ‘clinical points’ in the QOF. Indicators that are excluded include those for influenza targets, cancer and the maintenance of all validated disease registers. The letter states: “We hope that