The Impact and Investment Fund (IIF) is a financial incentive scheme for Primary Care Networks (PCNs) in England that rewards quality improvement and the achievement of specific health outcomes. It operates similarly to the Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF) but at network level, providing PCNs with additional funding when they meet targets across various clinical priority areas such as prevention, addressing health inequalities, and supporting sustainability.
The IIF works by setting specific, measurable indicators across priority clinical domains that PCNs must work towards. Each indicator carries a certain number of points, with each point having a financial value (typically around £200). PCNs earn points based on their achievement against these indicators, which is measured using nationally available data. The funding received is proportional to the points achieved and can be invested back into network services and workforce. PCNs typically receive payment partly in advance based on aspiration and partly after achievement has been confirmed.
The IIF covers a range of clinical priority areas that align with NHS England's strategic objectives. These typically include prevention and early diagnosis (such as cancer screening and cardiovascular disease prevention), structured medication reviews, care for older people (including falls prevention and supporting independence), personalised care, addressing health inequalities, vaccinations and immunisations, and sustainability measures (such as reducing unnecessary antibiotic prescribing). The specific indicators can change each year as the scheme evolves.
For patients, the IIF drives improvements in care quality and access through targeted interventions. It encourages PCNs to proactively identify and support high-risk patients, improve chronic disease management, enhance preventative care, and reduce unwarranted variations in care. This can lead to earlier detection of serious conditions, better management of long-term conditions, reduced hospital admissions, and more coordinated care. The fund also encourages PCNs to address health inequalities, potentially improving outcomes for traditionally underserved patient groups.
To maximise IIF achievement, PCNs should implement systematic approaches including: establishing clear clinical leadership for each domain; developing standardised processes across member practices; investing in data analysis to identify improvement opportunities; utilising the additional roles reimbursement scheme (ARRS) workforce strategically to deliver targeted interventions; sharing best practices between practices; engaging patients proactively through recall systems; collaborating with community services; and developing improvement plans with regular progress monitoring. Regular team meetings focused on IIF performance can help maintain momentum and address challenges.
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"text": "The IIF covers a range of clinical priority areas that align with NHS England's strategic objectives. These typically include prevention and early diagnosis (such as cancer screening and cardiovascular disease prevention), structured medication reviews, care for older people (including falls prevention and supporting independence), personalised care, addressing health inequalities, vaccinations and immunisations, and sustainability measures (such as reducing unnecessary antibiotic prescribing). The specific indicators can change each year as the scheme evolves."
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"text": "To maximise IIF achievement, PCNs should implement systematic approaches including: establishing clear clinical leadership for each domain; developing standardised processes across member practices; investing in data analysis to identify improvement opportunities; utilising the additional roles reimbursement scheme (ARRS) workforce strategically to deliver targeted interventions; sharing best practices between practices; engaging patients proactively through recall systems; collaborating with community services; and developing improvement plans with regular progress monitoring. Regular team meetings focused on IIF performance can help maintain momentum and address challenges."
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