Patient Questionnaires and the New GP Contract

All practices should now be aware that, as part of the Quality & Outcomes Framework, they are expected to undertake a patient survey.  Two questionnaires have been approved – IPQ and GPAQ.  More information can be obtained about these questionnaires by visiting the following websites – www.cfep.net for IPQ and www.gpaq.info for GPAQ.

The patient surveys need to be undertaken by both GMS and PMS practices, and there are a considerable amount of Q&O Points available for practices that undertake the survey.  Details are as follows –

• 40 points for completing either the IPQ or GPAQ survey
• 15 points for reflecting on the results and producing an action plan/written report
• 15 points for discussing the results with a patient group or non-executive PCT director

It has been estimated that for an “average” practice of 5,500 patients and 3 GPs, 70 points would equate to £5,250 in Year 1, increasing to as much as £8,400 in subsequent years.

In terms of undertaking this work, each practice has a number of options.  

1.               Undertake the IPQ survey through University of Exeter

2.               Undertake the GPAQ survey “in house”

3.               Undertake the GPAQ survey and employ an external company

4.               Undertake the GPAQ survey with the support of PCAG

In relation to point 4, PCAG will be employing a facilitator to support practices to undertake the GPAQ survey.  The facilitator will provide a comprehensive service, including:

• Printing of questionnaires and delivery to practices
• Data inputting of information from completed questionnaires
• Data analysis
• Production of reports for individual GPs and the practice
• Comparative data analysis for practices in Leicestershire
• Advice in terms of action planning

Most external companies who help practices facilitate the GPAQ survey only provide data analysis and production of reports.  The approximate charge for this service is £300-400 per practice.

The following table, compares the costs of using the University of Exeter to facilitate IPQ and Leicestershire PCAG for undertaking GPAQ.

Practices who would like to access the PCAG facilitator to assist them in undertaking the GPAQ survey are kindly requested to inform PCAG, no later than Friday 23^rd January 2004.