Impact and Investment Fund (IIF)

A financial incentive scheme for Primary Care Networks in England that rewards quality improvement and achievement of specific health outcomes.

What is the Impact and Investment Fund (IIF)?

What is ?

The Impact and Investment Fund (IIF) is a key component of the NHS England Primary Care Network Contract Directed Enhanced Service (PCN DES). Introduced in 2020, it provides financial resources to PCNs based on their performance against targeted indicators in priority clinical areas. The IIF operates similarly to the Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF) but at network rather than practice level, incentivising collaborative working across primary care to improve population health outcomes, reduce health inequalities, and enhance patient care.

Impact and Investment Fund (IIF) Best Practices

What is ?

  • Develop a clear strategy for achieving IIF indicators that aligns with local population health needs
  • Establish robust data collection and monitoring systems to track performance across network practices
  • Create multidisciplinary teams to address specific IIF domains and share best practices
  • Regularly review progress against indicators and adjust approaches accordingly
  • Balance focus on IIF targets with overall quality improvement and patient-centred care

Use Impact and Investment Fund (IIF) in a Sentence

What is ?

  1. The Primary Care Network invested in additional clinical pharmacist time to help meet their Impact and Investment Fund targets for medication reviews.
  2. Monthly network meetings include a standing agenda item to review progress against Impact and Investment Fund indicators.
  3. The clinical director explained how the Impact and Investment Fund would help finance additional services for patients with complex needs.
Frequently Asked Questions about
Impact and Investment Fund (IIF)

What does Impact and Investment Fund (IIF) mean?

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.

How does the Impact and Investment Fund work in Primary Care Networks?

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.

What clinical areas does the Impact and Investment Fund cover?

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.

What are the benefits of the Impact and Investment Fund for patients?

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.

How can Primary Care Networks maximise their Impact and Investment Fund achievement?

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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