The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has opened a public consultation on potential new indicators for the 2015/16 Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF).

The consultation, which runs until February 3, covers 10 potential new indicators in the following five clinical areas:

- diabetes: the percentage of patients with diabetes who have had the following care processes performed in the preceding 12 months: - BMI measurement; - BP measurement; - HbA1c measurement; - cholesterol measurement; - record of smoking status; - foot examination; - albumin:creatinine ratio; and - serum creatinine measurement.

- hypertension: five potential new indicators cover the percentage of patients with a new diagnosis of hypertension in the preceding April 1-March 31 who: 

- have a record of urinary albumin:creatinine ratio test in the three months before or after the date of entry to the hypertension register; 

- have a record of a test for haematuria in the three months before or after the date of entry to the register; 

- have a record of a 12 lead ECG performed in the three months before or after the date of entry to the register; 

- have been screening for hazardous or harmful alcohol consumption using a validated tool in the three months before or after date of entry on the register; and

 - screen positive for hazardous or harmful alcohol consumption who have been given personalised feedback on their AUDIT score and a patient information leaflet about their level of alcohol-related risk or harm within three months of the AUDIT score being recorded.

- polypharmacy: the percentage of patients aged 65 years and over prescribed 10 or more medications who have had a face-to-face medication review in the preceding 12 months.

- serious mental illness: the percentage of women with schizophrenia, bipolar affective disorder or other psychoses aged:

- under 45, who have been given information and advice about pregnancy, contraception or contraception tailored to their pregnancy and contraception intentions recorded in the preceding 12 months; and

-  45 or less, who have been prescribed psychotropic medication in the preceding 12 months who have been advised of the risks of these medications during pregnancy in the preceding 12 months.

- chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: the percentage of patients with COPD recorded as having an exacerbation in the preceding 12 months who have been given a course of antibiotics and corticosteroids (rescue pack) as part of a personalised future exacerbation self-management strategy in the preceding 12 months.

This list of potential new indicators has been developed following recommendations from NICE’s QOF advisory committee meetings. Indicators are currently being piloted in representative practices across the UK to test their feasibility and acceptability. The advisory committee will consider results of the piloting and consultation feedback in June before recommending which of these potential indicators should be included in the menu for the 2015/16 QOF.

A process of negotiation between the four UK health departments and GP representatives will then decide which indicators will be included within the 2015/16 QOF, which will be published by NHS Employers.

NICE says it expects the final menu of indicators to be published on its website in August 2014.