Impact of GP bonus scheme on blood pressure in doubt

Question marks have been raised over the effectiveness of a pay-for-performance scheme designed to improve the quality of care for patients with persistent high blood pressure.

Under the initiative, which was introduced in 2004, GPs are awarded bonuses if they meet nationally set targets.

But a new study in the British Medical Journal suggests that the 1.8 billion pound scheme has failed to have any impact on the management and outcomes of high blood pressure.

Analysing the period between January 2000 and August 2007, the researchers found no change in blood pressure monitoring, control or treatment intensity that could be attributed to the introduction of the bonus system in 2004.

Although the number of untreated patients fell and the amount of those receiving aggressive treatment increased, the researchers said these trends had nothing to do with the scheme.

However Dr Laurence Buckman, chairman of the British Medical Association's GPs committee, defended the scheme and pointed out that it is designed to ensure patients receive the same quality of care, regardless of where they live.