Publication of ACCIA’s 2022 annual report and 2024 indicative timelines
The latest ACCIA annual report highlights some improved diversity and equality following 2022 reforms to the National Clinical Impact Awards.
As the second year of the reformed National Clinical Impact Awards (NCIAs) scheme draws to a close, the recently published 2022 ACCIA annual report sets out the development of the scheme to date and some of its achievements so far.
The reformed scheme has enabled positive strides to be made towards improving the diversity and equality of the NCIAs. The expansion in the number of awards available, together with an increasingly diverse population of consultants, has led to an increase in applications from female applicants and ethnic minorities in 2022.
Additionally, the scheme has benefitted from being more streamlined and thus agile and adaptable, with a new IT system allowing for more analyses.
The scheme continues to reward high-performing senior clinicians in a range of specialties. The 2022 award round included, but was not limited to, the recognition of work related to COVID-19, and the development and improvement of healthcare pathways, as well as research that has impacted practice and national guidelines to improve patient care. The 2022 personal statements provide an in-depth account of most successful applicants’ exceptional work.
2024 awards round
The 2023 awards round is now in its final stages, with results due to be shared with applicants in early 2024.
Looking ahead to the 2024 round, the application window is likely to open in early March and close in mid-April. Keep a look out on the ACCIA homepage for the updated applicant and employer guides, which will be published in the next few weeks. Key updates in these guides include further clarity on what is meant by clinical relevance and further information on eligibility to keep an award following taking up flexible retirement.
Background information
The NCIAs recognise senior clinicians’ achievements of national or international significance that have an impact on the NHS and which go beyond the expectations of their job plan.
The scheme was reformed in 2022 following a 2021 public consultation, with the reforms aimed to broaden access, make the application process more inclusive and equitable, and help ensure the scheme retains, rewards and incentivises high-performing clinicians.