The 2004 GP contract signified a new relationship between GPs and the NHS, emphasising performance-related pay and the Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF) was concurrently introduced.
QOF payments accounted for about a third of average practice earnings in 2004/05 (National Audit Office 2008). Although the scheme was, and remains, voluntary, over 99% of UK practices participate.
At its inception, the Department of Health estimated that in the first year of the QOF, GP practices would achieve an average of 75% of the maximum available points (National Audit Office 2008). Practices in fact achieved over 90%, rising to over 96% by 2007/08.
