QMAS
GP system supplier certification for QOF 2010/11
Latest news
QMAS replacement - procurement decision made
Vangent Inc. has been appointed to supply a GP payment calculation system. to replace QMAS.
This system will be known as the Calculating Quality Recording System (CQRS).
Details of the procurement process for the new Calculating Quality Reporting Service (CQRS) (formally known as GP payment calculation system) and the procurement documentation are public documents.
QOF functionality
New QOF 2011/12 QMAS functionality is available from 24 October 2011. GPs must contact their supplier for the date they will release the latest version of this software.
The Business Rules for QOF 2011/ 12 have now been made available to GP System Suppliers so that their local searches and templates can be updated for the financial year. The Business Rules are also available to download from the Primary Care Contracting website. The Department of Health is currently procuring a new system to replace QMAS - the GP Payments Calculation Service. One of the key requirements for the new system will be to ensure faster turnaround of changes to the system.
For more updates visit bulletins section.
What is QMAS?
The Quality Management and Analysis System, known as QMAS, is a national IT system which gives GP practices and Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) objective evidence and feedback on the quality of care delivered to patients. It supports the Quality and Outcomes (QOF) element of the GP contract and has been in operation since 2004.
Normally, there are three system updates each year. Two update the system for changes in clinical codes based on the April and October READ code releases, whilst the third updates the system for changes in the GP contract following the annual negotiations between the General Practitioners Committee of the BMA and the Department of Health.
QMAS shows how well each practice is doing, measured against national QOF achievement targets. It allows practices to analyse the data they collect about the number of services and the quality of care they deliver, such as the services provided to patients with the chronic diseases that are included in the QOF. Access to the system is also provided to PCTs so that practices and PCTs can share information on achievement throughout the year.
As practices are rewarded financially according to the quality of care they provide, it is essential that the payment rules that underpin the GMS Contract are implemented consistently across all systems and all practices in England. QMAS ensures that this is achieved.
The Department of Health website has detailed guidance on the GMS Contract.
GP System Supplier GMS certification for QOF 2010/11
Much of the data used by QMAS is extracted from electronic health records in GP clinical systems. Suppliers undertake a certification process to ensure that their submissions to QMAS are compliant with the latest version of the QOF Business Rules. You can now review the current status of each GP clinical system supplier in that process.
QOF assessor toolkit
The QOF assessor toolkit software is available to download from the Apollo Medical Systems website free of charge. The site also contains advice and help on using QOF assessor. Please check with your clinical system supplier that your practice system is compatible with the Apollo software before installing it at your surgery.
Training
The QMAS training website (N3 connection required) helps GPs and practice teams understand how to use QMAS. It fully supports practices, PCTs and SHAs in their use of QMAS by the use of presentations, user manuals and frequently asked questions (FAQs). It enables the user to:
- view QMAS web pages and enter achievement indicators
- view feedback reports
- navigate through the system
- explore functionality
- find links to QMAS related documents and websites
Visit nww.qmastraining.nhs.uk (N3 connection required).
QMAS Service Desk
QMAS is not a NHS CFH Supported Service first line and all enquiries should initially go through the BT QMAS Desk or by phone on 0845 6016 907.