Hard-pressed practices in Northern Ireland have been offered a respite from red-tape in a move that could head of mass doctor resignations.

The region’s caretaker government yesterday agreed to suspend the Quality and Outcomes Framework – following a similar initiative in Wales.

GP resignations had become imminent after the calling of an election for the Northern Irish government paralysed decision-making.

Under the new rules, practices will be able to claim their QOF payments based on their performance over the last two years. They will also have the option of making claims based on current performance.

Dr Tom Black, who chairs the British Medical Association GP committee in Northern Ireland, said it would continue to collect undated letters of resignation from members.

He said: “While we are grateful that this suspension will go some way to free up GPs to spend more time with patients, it is only a temporary measure and will not address the systemic problems in primary care.

“Any opportunity to reduce the bureaucratic burden on general practice should be implemented with the greatest of urgency, particularly in the backdrop of a collapsed Assembly and no meaningful political will to address the crisis in general practice.

“It is in these unacceptable circumstances that general practice is attempting to deliver for patients, and why NIGPC has voted to progress with collecting undated resignations from its members.”