Northern Ireland Clinical Excellence Awards Scheme

In March 2004 the Department published a consultation document Rewarding Commitment and Excellence in the HPSS (PDF 189 KB) setting out proposals for a new consultant reward scheme. A framework document The New HPSS Clinical Excellence Awards Scheme (PDF 43 KB) was published in March 2005 setting out the broad principles of the new scheme. The new scheme was introduced in 2005-2006 as the Clinical Excellence Awards scheme.

The scheme aims to ensure recognition of exceptional personal contributions made by individual consultants who show a commitment to achieving the delivery of high quality care to patients and to the continuous improvement of Health and Social Care (HSC). Awards are allocated after applications have been scrutinised by the Northern Ireland Clinical Excellence Awards Committee.

Self-nomination is the only method of application within the scheme. Awards are given to recognise and reward contributions to HSC which are over and above the standard normally expected of a consultant in their post. It should be noted that the scheme is highly competitive and normally there are many more applications than awards available.

Consultants who have at least three year’s experience at consultant level can apply for a local award, and, for higher awards, consultants must have achieved a minimum of four local awards to become eligible (during transition a minimum of four discretionary points will satisfy the eligibility criteria).

The Guide to the Northern Ireland Clinical Excellence Awards Scheme 2007 -2008 (PDF 206 KB)sets out in detail the rules of the new scheme, including the eligibility criteria and covers both the higher and lower levels of awards.

In October 2007 a review of the Northern Ireland Clinical Excellence Awards Scheme commenced.  A formal consulation paper Consultation on Northern Ireland Clinical Excellence Awards Scheme (PDF 43KB) has been issued with comments due by 29 February 2008.