This outlines the readcodes to use for the annual health checks, and states the implications of implementing a new readcode.

Introduction

NHS Employers and the General Practitioners Committee of the BMA agreed five new clinical
directed enhanced services (DESs) as part of the 2008/09 contract negotiations. These DESs
focus on health and service priorities of the Department of Health (DH) that will benefit patients
and are for:

• heart failure
• alcohol
• learning disabilities
• osteoporosis
• ethnicity

All of the DESs started with effect from 1 April 2008 and will run for two years, with the
exception of heart failure, which is a one-year DES. An indicator measuring prescribing of beta
blockers for heart failure is being included in the QOF from 1 April 2009. The DESs are
applicable in England only.

This document provides primary care trusts and practices with updated information to help
support the implementation of the new DESs, in particular on the requirements in the DESs for
audits. It supersedes the guidance published in August 2008.

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