As part of initiatives to tackle health inequalities, BHR has a Local Incentive Scheme (LIS) which aims to support an increase in the number of completed annual physical health checks for people on the GP SMI (severe mental illnesses) QOF (Quality and Outcomes) register.
The LIS for people with SMI is arranged so that each practice receives £35 per patient with a completed six item health check per year, above a minimum threshold of 40% achievement. Payments to be made on a quarterly basis in arrears.
Following changes to the QoF for 2021/22 and the inclusion of all 6 checks ( https://www.england.nhs.uk/publication/update-on-quality-outcomes-framework-changes-for-2021-22/) it has been agreed that the LIS should be revised to focus on follow up interventions where this is clinically indicated by check outcomes.
CCG clinical lead, Dr Raj Kumar, is in the process of developing some requirements for a new LIS to run from Q2 (ie July). He would be very interested in any suggestions that GP colleagues may wish to offer.
For the avoidance of doubt, the current LIS will run to the end of June and payment will continue to be made for all completed checks in the reporting period.
The CCG recognises and thanks practices for the hard work done to undertake these checks, particularly given the challenges posed by the pandemic. The SMI physical health checks remain an important system priority and we will continue to give this work our full support.
Please direct any queries regarding these changes, or any suggestions for the new LIS, to CCG Primary Care Mental Health Commissioning Manager kevin.dowling3@nhs.net.
Update: Advice & Guidance
Advice and guidance was initially piloted by NELFT in memory services but is now available across BHR for all community mental health access services and services for older adults.
(CAMHS and LD to follow).
The reasons why a clinician may wish to seek advice and guidance include:
N.B : A&G is not suitable for urgent or high risk cases, nor where there may be some concerns about safeguarding issues.
Primary care colleagues are strongly encouraged to make use of this helpful facility and any feedback is very welcome
CCG contacts are clinical lead Dr Raj Kumar (raj.kumar2@nhs.net) and
Kevin Dowling, Primary Care Mental Health Commissioning Manager kevin.dowling3@nhs.net
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