QOF 2025/26 – What’s Changing?

QOF 2025/26 – What’s Changing?

Overview

Notes
The 2025/26 GP contract introduces significant reforms to the Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF), aiming to reduce administrative workload and shift the focus towards Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) prevention. This guide outlines the key QOF changes and their implications for GP practices.

Key QOF Changes

  1. 32 QOF indicators permanently retired, removing 212 reporting points.
  2. £298m redistributed into the Global Sum and CVD prevention funding.
  3. New QOF focus on CVD prevention, encouraging proactive patient management.
  4. Minor changes to other indicators

Action Points:

  1. Identify retired QOF indicators and adjust internal reporting practices.
  2. Focus on CVD prevention to align with new funding streams.
  3. Reduce unnecessary administrative burden by discontinuing removed indicators.

Redistribution of QOF Funding

£298m reinvested into:
  1. Global Sum, increasing baseline funding for practices (71 points £100mn).
  2. CVD prevention initiatives, shifting QOF incentives towards targeted health interventions (141 points £198mn).
  3. Removal of register and other QOF indicators means funding is now more focused on tougher clinical areas.

Action Points:

  1. Review how QOF income redistribution may affect practice budgets.
  2. Implement strategies to meet new CVD-focused QOF targets.
  3. Train clinical teams on the new funding structure and patient management strategies

New QOF Priorities: Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) Prevention

  1. Stronger incentives for management of CVD risk factors.

Action Points:

  1. Identify where achievement may be a challenge
  2. Develop proactive CVD reviews for to ensure you hit the KPIs

Reduction in Admin & Reporting Burden

  1. Elimination of 32 outdated QOF indicators reduces unnecessary reporting.
  2. Less administrative workload for GP teams, allowing greater focus on direct patient care.
  3. Shift towards outcome-based measures rather than just maintaining registers.

Action Points:

  1. Review practice workflows and remove redundant QOF reporting requirements.
  2. Ensure staff are aware of the administrative workload reduction.
  3. Focus on delivering high-impact clinical interventions.

Next Steps

  1. April 2025 – New QOF framework takes effect.

Immediate Actions:

  1. Assess QOF funding impact on practice finances.
  2. Adjust clinical workflows to focus on new QOF priorities.

    • Related Articles

    • Will QOF Changes Impact My Practice’s Financial Stability?

      Overview The 2025/26 QOF contract brings significant changes to indicators, thresholds, and funding allocations. Practices that do not adjust their approach may see financial losses, while those who optimise workflows stand to increase income. Key ...

    • Understanding QOF exclusions and Personalised Care Adjustments

      If you want to read much more detail about the topic, read the relevant year's Technical Annexe. At the time of writing the previous year was 2021/22 and can be found here If you're reading this there is a good chance that you're interested in ...

    • Understanding the Financial Impact of QOF Changes (2025/26)

      Overview The 2025/26 QOF contract introduces new indicators, retired measures, and adjusted thresholds, all of which will have a direct financial impact on GP practices. Understanding these changes is crucial to maximising QOF income and ensuring ...

    • Annex C – CVD Prevention Indicators (2025/26 QOF Points and Thresholds)

      Overview Annex C introduces new QOF indicators focused on Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) prevention, aligning with NHS England’s priority to improve early detection and management of cardiovascular risk factors. These indicators are designed to enhance ...

    • Annex D – QOF Technical Changes (2025/26)

      Overview Annex D details the technical changes to the Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF) for 2025/26, including adjustments to indicator specifications, coding updates, and changes in data validation requirements. These modifications impact how ...