General Practitioners

In the Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF), clinical indicators all have a target population. Patients with co-morbidities are included in all relevant target populations and registers where they meet the defined criteria. These patients are eligible for the interventions outlined in all relevant disease areas and as such, practices are reimbursed for these interventions.

The indicators and thresholds included in the QOF are developed in accordance with National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines, underpinned by a robust evidence base.

We recognise the importance of ensuring funding for core services is distributed equitably between practices across the country. This is why we are currently reviewing the way general practice funding is allocated across England (the Carr-Hill formula). The review will look at how health needs are reflected in the distribution of funding through the GP Contract.

Over the past 16 months, the Government has invested an extra £1.1 billion into primary care, prevented over 3,000 GPs from graduating into unemployment, and have halved the number of targets GPs are held to so GPs spend more time caring for patients. Over 6.5 million more GP appointments have been delivered in the 12 months to November 2025 compared to the same period last year, building capacity for continuity of care and improving access so that patients can be seen when they need to be in primary care.