Advisory Committee on Clinical Excellence Awards (ACCEA)

Work on the The Department of Health 2011 online applications system is underway and they are expecting to launch the system in September 2010. The 2011 online application forms are not yet available online but we have been sent them for use in the interim. There will not be any material changes to the forms and candidates will be able to copy and paste their work from the Word version into the online version without difficulties.

Bronze or Silver candidates may choose to submit one of the supplementary forms below with their application form.

Gold candidates may choose to submit up to two of the forms below

Platinum candidates may choose to submit up to all three of the forms below

Research/Innovation
Teaching/Training
Management/Leadership

Should a candidate choose to submit a supplementary form, the corresponding domain in the application form must be left blank.

All candidates should complete the main application form.

This information aims to set out the National ACCEA process used by the Royal College of Surgeons of England in order to assist those wishing to submit for the 2010 round.

• What is it?
• How does the ACCEA process work?
• How do I apply?
• How do I complete the form?
• What support can I get for my self nomination?
• Why send my form to the RCS?
• How do I submit my Bronze/Silver/Gold self nomination to the RCS?
• How does the RCS mark my form?
• I applied last year, should I apply again?
• Who submits the form to ACCEA?
• I work in Wales - how do I apply?
• How do I submit my Platinum self nomination to the RCS?
• I have been asked to write a citation - how do I proceed?
• I am a dental specialist (including Oral and Maxillofacial surgeons)
• When will I hear whether the RCS will support me?

What is it?

Clinical Excellence awards are given by the Department of Health to recognise and reward the exceptional contribution of individual National Health Service Consultants, over and above that normally expected. The Consultant has to show a commitment to achieving a high quality of care to patients and to the continuous improvement of the National Health Service. The award is additional annual salary.

Consultants should demonstrate:

• sustained commitment to patient care and wellbeing or improving public health;
• sustained high standards in the technical and clinical aspects of service whilst providing patient-centred care;
• a clear commitment to the values and goals of the NHS by participating actively in annual job planning and observing the appropriate practice code of conduct such that they:
• show a commitment to achieving agreed service objectives;
• through active participation in clinical governance, contribute to continuous improvement in service organisation and delivery;
  
• embrace the principles of evidence-based practice;
• contribute to the knowledge base through research;
• are recognised as exceptional teachers and/or managers;
• contribute to policy making and planning in health care.

It is not expected that individuals will meet all of these objectives to become eligible for an award, and much will depend in the nature of each post. There are different levels of award, for more information see the ACCEA website.

How does the ACCEA process work?

Consultants nominate themselves for the award and self nominations must be sent directly to the ACCEA at the Department of Health. Support can be sought from one or all of the following: Royal College of Surgeons of England, the relevant Specialist Association and Regional Committees. All of the bodies rank the nominations and submit their recommendations to the Department of Health ACCEA Committee. The Royal College of Surgeons of England ranking system also takes into account the ranked order of the Specialist Associations and recommendations from the regions.

How do I apply?

The 2011 online forms will be available at ACCEA in due course. Any application forms submitted not on the new 2011 forms will automatically be rejected by ACCEA. The timetable is important and late submissions will not be considered.

You must register using the link on the website and follow ACCEA guidelines - please note that you are the only person who can do this - do not rely on any other organisation or person to do this for you. Once registered you will receive a unique login and password allowing you to access the online application form.

It is very important that potential applicants look closely at the criteria for awards to ensure that they realistically fit the profile that ACCEA is looking for.

How do I complete the form?

• It is crucial that the correct GMC/GDC number is entered - this is the denominator which the ACCEA database will use to tie the citations to the applications.
• When filling out the sections be accurate and concise.
• When one section is complete this cannot be altered for security reasons.
• Read the domains in detail and link your achievements and contributions to those domains - this is what you will be marked against.
• All achievements need to be dated – many applicants still do not make clear when things were done and skeptical committee members will not give them the benefit of the doubt. “If it is not dated, do not mention it”. Focus only on achievements since last award/last 5 years and date them all.
• Take 5 yearly reviews seriously and complete with similar effort as you would put into a new application. The committee is now being asked whether this review shows the level of activity that would have won a new award at this level this year. One is strongly advised to fill in the ACCEA supplementary forms when relevant.
• Do not use abbreviations as lay people will be reviewing your form and marking against criteria - also be aware of this if you write citations.
• The form has to be signed off by the Chief Executive of your Trust.
• The form must be submitted by the applicant only.
• Your completed form should be stored as a PDF, HTML or MS Word file and can then be forwarded to any body to whom you apply for support.
• Bear in mind that people assessing or marking your form may not know you personally, therefore it is vital that the completed form is of the highest standard.
• Applications or citations after the closing date will not be accepted by ACCEA under any circumstances 

What support can I get for my self nomination?

Candidates for Clinical Excellence Awards may be supported by any individual, university or professional body (apart from the employer) in the form of a citation. Citations are taken into account by ACCEA and its sub-committees but not necessarily by its local regional committees. Once you have completed your form you can submit that form to any potential supporters. Whichever route you take, please make sure that you are aware of their appropriate deadline. Each body will decide whether they will support you or not. The RCS will inform you if we decide to support you.

If you submit your nomination to any Specialist Association please also submit it to the RCS.

Why send my form to the RCS?

The RCS are invited to make a specific number of recommendations each year. While the RCS will take into account what people achieve in all areas of activity, it is best able to assess excellence in work carried out in the wider remit of the NHS. The process aims to be as transparent and equitable as possible and the RCS is required by the ACCEA to outline the process it follows.

Medical Royal Colleges and Faculties will make their most important contribution by highlighting the work done by a candidate in their specialty or for the College; they are frequently able to inform ACCEA of the wider influence of this work on the National or International stage.

Citations are taken into account by the ACCEA and its sub-committees but not necessarily by its local regional committees.

If you submit your nomination to any Specialist association please also submit it to the RCS

How do I submit my Bronze/Silver/Gold self nomination to the RCS?

If you would like the opportunity to be supported by the College your electronic self nomination form should reach us by 10am on Monday 27th September 2010 for Bronze, Silver/Gold Awards. Once you have completed your online registration form, save it as a MS Word document or PDF file. Email the saved forms to cea@rcseng.ac.uk.

How does the RCS mark my form?

The College has a committee to assess all applications.

• Terms of Reference

The College prepares a CD ROM for all committee members containing the CVQ's and supporting information. These are sent to each committee member which enables them to make independent rankings of each domain and not be swayed by others in the first instance. The results from all the Committee members is collated together with the Specialist Association and Regional rankings. Armed with this information the Committee meet to agree a final ranked list.

Each domain is marked using this marking system:

I applied last year, should I apply again?

It is advised that you prepare an updated form in case you are not successful in the 2010 round of awards. The deadline for submission to the College may be before the results of last year are available but we will check the results and ignore any nominations from successful candidates.

Who submits the form to ACCEA?

Candidates must submit the online form directly to the ACCEA when they become available.

http://www.dh.gov.uk/ab/ACCEA/index.htm

I work in Wales - how do I apply?

In exactly the same way except directly to NHS Wales.

http://www.wales.nhs.uk/page.cfm?OrgID=1&PID=3928

How do I submit my Platinum self nomination to the RCS?

We have been notified by the Academy of Royal Colleges that we have to submit our prioritised list of Platinum recommendations to them by Monday 1st November 2010.  This means that we must have self nominations by 10am on Monday 13th September 2010. This date may be before the results of the 2010 applications are available, so please nominate yourself again if necessary.

Platinum's are permitted to complete all the supplementary forms. Please email your completed forms to cea@rcseng.ac.uk.

I have been asked to write a citation - how do I proceed?

The citations are written directly in the ACCEA website by the citation writer. Instructions are available on the ACCEA website.

• Read the form and comment specifically on the contributions and achievements in line with the domains.
• Do not use abbreviations and keep it brief and to the point - about 250 words should be sufficient.

I am a dental specialist (including Oral and Maxillofacial surgeons)

This specialty is handled by the Faculty of Dental Surgery. The process followed is exactly the same as the RCS. If you wish to be supported by FDS please submit your completed form to acceafds@rcseng.ac.uk.

Any Oral and Maxillofacial forms submitted to the RCS will be forwarded to the Faculty.

When will I hear whether RCS will support me?

The RCS will not contact you if it is decided not to support you. If the RCS does support you, notification will be sent to you by the ACCEA deadline (tbc).