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Update on patient experience section Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF) and patient surveys

June 2004

There still seems to be some confusion in relation to the patient surveys in the QOF despite an update in the GMS2 Update of 24 April 2004 - read more here produced by the General Practitioners Committee (GPC).

The problem has arisen because it was not made explicitly clear that the IPQ survey is copyright, although the copyright sign is clearly marked on the specimen IPQ survey questionnaires as published.

The other approved patient survey is also subject to copyright but this is waived in certain circumstances. Please go to www.gpaq.info for explanation of these conditions.

The CFEP organisation that produces the IPQ questionnaire wrote to PCTs on 24 February 2004 to alert practices that unauthorised copying of the IPQ questionnaire is a breach of copyright. However, it also stated that practices had to use the CFEP survey analysis service to qualify for QOF payments.

This last statement is not strictly true. CFEP includes an analysis service as part of the cost of their questionnaires, although if practices choose to analyse the IPQ themselves they are free to do so and this would qualify for QOF payments.

Practices are reminded that unauthorised copying of IPQ or GPAQ is a breach of copyright whoever does the analysis. Practices should not photocopy the questionnaires from the contract supporting documentation or from the BMA or NHS Confederation websites.

CFEP will produce certificates for practices to show that IPQ has been properly and legally administered.