The government is reforming the National Clinical Excellence Awards for high performing NHS senior doctors to be more inclusive and accessible.
The reformed awards scheme will better reflect the modern NHS workforce whilst remaining relevant to the increasingly varied roles doctors undertake.
The National Clinical Excellence Awards scheme has existed since 1948 with the present iteration running since 2004. Through the scheme Consultants and academic practitioners within the NHS who perform above and beyond the standard expected of their role can gain financial awards.
The Department of Health and Social Care says that, from April, the scheme will be renamed the National Clinical Impact Awards, and to create a more inclusive and accessible scheme a range of reforms are being introduced to this year’s application process.
This includes awards for those working less than full time to be paid at the full value instead of pro-rata and all award levels will now be open to all applicants as the requirement to move up through the tiers of awards over subsequent years will be removed.
Furthermore, the scheme will move from four award levels to three and the first award level will become more attainable. There are more awards available at each level than in previous years, meaning that overall more people should - providing they reach the threshold - be able to achieve an award: roughly 330 at level one, 200 at level two and 70 at level three.
Minister of State for Health Edward Argar said: “The new National Clinical Impact awards will help level the playing field and recognise the extraordinary contributions made by NHS doctors and dentists. We’re increasing the number of people who will be recognised, and making the awards more accessible for under-represented groups including women and younger consultants. It’s vital we celebrate the teachers, trainers, innovators and researchers of best practice across the NHS, who act as role models for their peers and colleagues. I want to thank NHS staff for their hard work and encourage everyone eligible to apply so we can reward excellence across the health service.”
