RCPsych Awards 2024
This is your chance to nominate the excellent teams and individuals who are making a real difference to mental health services.
The RCPsych Awards mark the highest level of achievement in psychiatry. We need your help in the search for the stars of 2024 and look forward to receiving your nominations.
We want to make sure our awards are truly reflective of the breadth, diversity and talent of our membership and are encouraging entrants from right across the UK and the world (please check the criteria below to see which categories are open to international nominees).
The closing date for applications is 5pm BST on Friday 31 May 2024. We'll announce the shortlists in the summer and present the winners at the RCPsych Awards ceremony on Thursday 14 November.
Click on the categories below to find the entry criteria and application form for each award. Please ensure that you've read the general rules for entry before submitting the nomination and please note that all individual nominees will need to submit a good standing form for the nomination to be valid.
Send your completed nomination forms and good standing forms to MembershipServices@rcpsych.ac.uk.
This award is to recognise the pivotal role that psychiatry societies at medical schools play in raising the profile of psychiatry and supporting similarly interested medical students in becoming psychiatrists. Societies may be based in the UK or overseas.
The entry should describe how the society:
a) embodies the themes of the #Choosepsychiatry campaign
b) demonstrates effective leadership and good teamwork
c) provides an exciting and varied program of activities in their medical school and beyond.
Entries should relate to work undertaken in the 2022/2023 academic year only. Activities undertaken outside these dates will not be considered.
Please ensure that you have read the general Rules for Entry.
This award is for trainees who have demonstrated through their clinical performance and practice that they have attained a level of achievement over and above that expected for their grade. The person nominated should be resident in the UK and should be a member or associate (including PMPT) of the College.
The entry should describe how the nominee has demonstrated exceptional levels of achievement as:
a) a professional
b) a clinician
c) a leader
d) an educator
e) a researcher.
The researcher criterion is weighted lower than the other criteria as there's now a dedicated award for early career researchers. Trainees who predominantly work in an academic setting should be nominated for the Academic Researcher award.
Entries should relate to work undertaken between January 2023 and December 2023 only. Activities undertaken outside these dates will not be considered.
Please note that the entry will not be valid until we receive a completed good standing form from the nominee.
Please ensure that you have read the general Rules for Entry.
This award is for trainees who have demonstrated through their clinical performance and practice that they have attained a level of achievement over and above that expected for their grade. The person nominated should be resident in the UK and should be a member or associate of the College.
The entry should describe how the nominee has demonstrated exceptional levels of achievement as:
a) a professional
b) a clinician
c) a leader
d) an educator
e) a researcher.
Entries should relate to work undertaken between January 2023 and December 2023 only. Activities undertaken outside these dates will not be considered.
Please note that the entry will not be valid until we receive a completed good standing form from the nominee.
Please ensure that you have read the general Rules for Entry.
Individual patients or groups directly involved in the work of the College can be nominated for work they do for the College.
Nominations can be for individuals or patient groups. Nominees may be resident in the UK or overseas.
The entry should demonstrate how the nominee has met at least two of the following criteria:
a) has made a positive impact at a local and/or national level to improve mental health services
b) has improved the perception of mental health issues and/or mental health services
c) has encouraged change in the development of mental health policy
d) has been an accessible role model to mental health service professionals, other patients and/or carers
e) has contributed to the recruitment and/or training of psychiatrists and/or other mental health service professionals.
Entries should relate to work undertaken between January 2023 and December 2023 only. Activities undertaken outside these dates will not be considered.
Please note that the entry will not be valid until we receive a completed good standing form from the nominee.
Please ensure that you have read the general Rules for Entry.
Individual carer or carer groups directly involved in the work of the College can be nominated for work they do for the College.
Nominations can be for individuals or carer groups. Nominees may be resident in the UK or overseas.
The entry should demonstrate how the nominee has met at least two of the following criteria:
a) has made a positive impact at a local and/or national level to improving mental health services
b) has improved the perception of mental health issues and/or mental health services
c) has encouraged change in the development of mental health policy
d) has been an accessible role model to mental health service professionals, patients and/or carers
e) has contributed to the recruitment and/or training of psychiatrists and/or other mental health service professionals.
Entries should relate to work undertaken between January 2023 and December 2023 only. Activities undertaken outside these dates will not be considered.
Please note that the entry will not be valid until we receive a completed good standing form from the nominee.
Please ensure that you have read the general Rules for Entry.
This award is to recognise the efforts of an individual or a group of individuals who have championed awareness and understanding of psychiatric and/or mental health issues, through public engagement such as media work, promotion or education in schools and in the community, or via social media.
This person or group of individuals can come from any background, including psychiatry, other medical disciplines, the media, charity sector, politics, education, or industry. Nominees may be resident in the UK or overseas.
The entry should demonstrate that the nominee has:
a) challenged negative stereotypes and perceptions of mental illness
b) conveyed information about mental health in a creative and accessible way
c) demonstrated first-class communication skills
d) raised awareness of psychiatric issues in a positive manner
e) promoted the importance of mental health in society.
Entries should relate to work undertaken between January 2023 and December 2023 only. Activities undertaken outside these dates will not be considered.
Please note that the entry will not be valid until we receive a completed good standing form from the nominee.
Please ensure that you have read the general Rules for Entry.
This category is open to nominations for educational supervisors, clinical supervisors, college tutors, rotational training scheme organisers, heads of schools, and any psychiatrists who can demonstrate a significant contribution to the training of trainee psychiatrists, medical undergraduates or medical professionals. The contribution may be at local, regional or national level. This award is only open to individuals. Nominees should be resident in the UK.
The entry should describe how the nominee has demonstrated innovation and/or excellence in one or more of the following (please note: it is not expected that the nominee will excel in every area):
a) in-house training provision (e.g. journal clubs, case conferences)
b) individual trainees
c) rotational training schemes
d) helping colleagues with improving their training skills/schemes
e) developing online training
f) national, regional or local training initiatives
g) developing training in the face of the reduction in trainees’ hours
h) helping trainees with difficulties or mentoring to help trainees.
Entries should relate to work undertaken between January 2023 and December 2023 only. Activities undertaken outside these dates will not be considered.
Please note that the entry will not be valid until we receive a completed good standing form from the nominee.
Please ensure that you have read the general Rules for Entry.
This award recognises the efforts of an individual who has supported the cause of International medical graduates in an impactful way. IMGs make up a significant proportion of the psychiatric workforce in the UK (around 40% and growing) and supporting them is one of the College’s main priorities.
The person nominated for this award should be resident in the UK and should be a member or associate of the College. The nominee should have demonstrated a significant contribution towards supporting IMGs in the UK, in psychiatry and other disciplines if applicable.
The nature of work could include (but is not limited to): leading, developing or playing a key role in relation to induction programmes, supporting culturally sensitive activities, helping develop communication skills and understanding the challenges faced by IMGs by providing guidance tailored to their unique needs, help with mentoring, coaching, practice for exams, helping with interviews and leadership roles helping fight discrimination and showing strong allyship. This work includes local, regional, national and international work.
Nominations should only include work carried out during the past two years.
The entry should demonstrate how the nominee has met at least two of the following criteria:
a) Has demonstrated innovations in cross cultural competencies and intercultural fluency.
b) Is a proven positive role model for the rest of the psychiatric profession.
c) Has introduced awareness to the needs of IMGs’ training.
d) Has contributed towards training programs specifically in support towards IMGs.
e) Has promoted equality, diversity and inclusion in relation to IMGs and subsequently to mental health services for patients, carers and staff.
Please note that the entry will not be valid until we receive a completed good standing form from the nominee.
Please ensure that you have read the general Rules for Entry.
This award recognises the critically important role that clinical academics play in conducting scientific research that improves the understanding of, and treatment and care of people with, mental illness, intellectual disabilities, and neurodivergent conditions.
- Early career grade (first 3-5 years, anything up to and including lecturer level, also including SAS)
- Mid/senior career grade (5-10 years, consultant or senior SAS level, senior lecturer and above)
Please indicate when completing the entry form which level you're nominating for.
Nominations should only include work carried out during the past five years. Nominees may be resident in the UK or overseas and should be a member or associate of the College.
The entry should describe how the nominee has demonstrated exceptional levels of achievement in the following areas:
a) skill as a scholar and researcher
b) outstanding research contribution
c) evidence of current and potential impact.
Please note that the entry will not be valid until we receive a completed good standing form from the nominee.
Please ensure that you have read the general Rules for Entry.
Specialty Doctors/Associate Specialists (SAS doctors) are essential components of service provision, providing a major share of the medical input in many teams. This award is to recognise an SAS doctor who has demonstrated advanced clinical skills as well as excelling in service development, teaching, research and leadership. Their contribution may be at local, regional or national level. The person nominated should be resident in the UK and should be a member or associate of the College.
The entry should demonstrate excellence in at least one of the following areas:
a) clinical work
b) medical education
c) leadership and management
d) research
e) innovation
f) parity of esteem.
It is not expected that SAS doctors will excel in all these areas. Particular weight will be given where there is evidence of an input outside the particular team in which the doctor is working.
Entries should relate to work undertaken between January 2023 and December 2023 only. Activities undertaken outside these dates will not be considered.
Please note that the entry will not be valid until we receive a completed good standing form from the nominee.
Please ensure that you have read the general Rules for Entry.
The person nominated for this award may be resident in the UK or overseas and should be a member or associate of the College.
The entry should demonstrate that the nominee:
a) lives the College’s values (CIRCLE)
b) has made a positive impact at a national and/or local level to patient and/or carer wellbeing
c) has raised the positive image of psychiatry across the rest of medicine and society
d) has demonstrated innovation in clinical practice and service development
e) is a proven positive role model for the rest of the psychiatric profession
f) has made psychiatry a more inclusive profession and promoted equality in mental health services for patients, carers and staff
g) has made efforts towards achieving parity of esteem between mental and physical health, at a national and/or local level.
The judges would also particularly welcome demonstration that the nominee has:
- co-produced approaches to psychiatry with patients and carers,
- worked with voluntary or charitable organisations,
- supported the development of psychiatric services in areas that are poorly served, or
- worked to make psychiatric services become more sustainable.
Entries should relate to work undertaken between January 2023 and December 2023 only. Activities undertaken outside these dates will not be considered.
Please note that the entry will not be valid until we receive a completed good standing form from the nominee.
Please ensure that you have read the general Rules for Entry.
This award is to recognise the pivotal role that psychiatric teams play in improving or innovating psychiatric services and care for children and adolescents. Teams may be based in the UK or overseas and should contain at least one psychiatrist who is a member or associate of the College.
Applicants from jurisdictions that don't have a strict age differentiation or speciality differentiation should apply for the category which aligns with the predominant demographic of their patients.
The entry should describe how the team demonstrates:
a) quality improvement
b) effective leadership and good teamwork
c) effective use of resources
d) embodiment of the biopsychosocial approach.
Entries should relate to work undertaken between January 2023 and December 2023 only. Activities undertaken outside these dates will not be considered.
Please ensure that you have read the general Rules for Entry.
This award is to recognise the pivotal role that psychiatric teams play in improving or innovating psychiatric services and care for working-age adults. Teams may be based in the UK or overseas and should contain at least one psychiatrist who is a member or associate of the College.
Applicants from jurisdictions that don't have a strict age differentiation or speciality differentiation should apply for the category which aligns with the predominant demographic of their patients.
The entry should describe how the team demonstrates:
a) quality improvement
b) effective leadership and good teamwork
c) effective use of resources.
d) embodiment of the biopsychosocial approach.
Entries should relate to work undertaken between January 2023 and December 2023 only. Activities undertaken outside these dates will not be considered.
Please ensure that you have read the general Rules for Entry.
This award is to recognise the pivotal role that psychiatric teams play in improving or innovating psychiatric services and care for older-age adults. Teams may be based in the UK or overseas and should contain at least one psychiatrist who is a member or associate of the College.
Applicants from jurisdictions that don't have a strict age differentiation or speciality differentiation should apply for the category which aligns with the predominant demographic of their patients.
The entry should describe how the team demonstrates:
a) quality improvement
b) effective leadership and good teamwork
c) effective use of resources
d) embodiment of the biopsychosocial approach.
Entries should relate to work undertaken between January 2023 and December 2023 only. Activities undertaken outside these dates will not be considered.
Please ensure that you have read the general Rules for Entry.
This award is to recognise the changing landscape of healthcare provision following the Covid pandemic with increased use of digital technologies in mental health services. The Award is to recognise work done by healthcare professionals that demonstrates use of digital technologies has improved their service and patient care.
Teams may be based in the UK or overseas and should contain at least one psychiatrist who is a member or associate of the College.
Your entry should provide evidence of at least one of the following:
a) Clinical excellence: How the team has used digital technologies to improve patient care, patient safety and clinical outcomes.
b) Patient and clinician experience: How the patient and clinician experience has been improved or streamlined by the use of digital technologies e.g., Reduction of admin burden, smoother patient journey from referral to long-term care.
c) Digital innovation: How the team has used innovative technologies not widely available in the public sector and adapted this for use for their patients e.g., AI / VR.
d) Technology and Equality: How the team has addressed issues pertaining to access to health inequalities, access to mental health services or addressed digital exclusion i.e., those patients who may not be able to access digital services due to disability or age or other factors.
e) Technology, mental health and society: How the team has engaged with the wider public around societal issues around digital mental health e.g., the effects of social media and gaming on mental health, digital privacy, the effects of screen-time on mental health.
Entries should relate to work undertaken between January 2023 and December 2023 only. Activities undertaken outside these dates will not be considered.
Please ensure that you have read the general Rules for Entry.
This award is to recognise the pivotal role that psychiatric teams play in improving or innovating psychiatric services in intellectual disability. Teams may be based in the UK or overseas and should contain at least one psychiatrist who is a member or associate of the College.
Applicants from jurisdictions that don't have a strict age differentiation or speciality differentiation should apply for the category which aligns with the predominant demographic of their patients.
The entry should describe how the team demonstrates:
a) quality improvement
b) effective leadership and good teamwork
c) effective use of resources
d) embodiment of the biopsychosocial approach.
Entries should relate to work undertaken between January 2023 and December 2023 only. Activities undertaken outside these dates will not be considered.
Please ensure that you have read the general Rules for Entry.
This award is to recognise the pivotal role that psychiatric teams play in making improvements in services (for mental or/and physical health) through the use of formal quality improvement approaches. Teams may be based in the UK or overseas and should contain at least one psychiatrist who is a member or associate of the College.
The entry should describe how the team identified the problem to tackle, used a systematic quality improvement methodology, involved and engaged key stakeholders, particularly patients and carers. It should provide evidence of the following:
- the use of a systematic method of continuous quality improvement
- how the team involved and engaged key stakeholders, including staff, patients and carers, in the improvement work
- how the team identified the problem to work on
- the use of measurement to demonstrate improvement, with key outcomes of the work evidenced
- ideas that have been tested and implemented in order to achieve the aim of the work
- what the team has learnt, through failed tests and through the process of working together to solve a complex quality issue
- how the team has developed a sustainable infrastructure for the new system, to ensure that improvements do not fall away.
Entries should relate to work undertaken between January 2023 and December 2023 only. Activities undertaken outside these dates will not be considered.
Please ensure that you have read the general Rules for Entry.
This Award has been developed in partnership between the Royal College of Psychiatrists and the Centre for Sustainable Healthcare.
The Award is to recognise work done by healthcare professionals that demonstrates an understanding of the connection between health and the environment and helps to improve the sustainability of mental health care. Projects may be service development projects or novel initiatives. Teams may be based in the UK or overseas and should contain at least one psychiatrist who is a member or associate of the College.
The entry should provide evidence of the following:
Sustainability
Demonstrate improved sustainability of mental health care, or provide an example of green care which will highlight one or more of the following areas:
- Preventative; primary, secondary or tertiary prevention of the harms of mental illness. This may usefully include close working with Public Health.
- Empowering individuals and communities; e.g. promoting opportunities for self-management, independent living through supporting community projects, social networks and employment.
- Improving value; this may include improving health outcomes while reducing economic and environmental costs. It may include projects which reduce attrition of staff members by making work and life patterns more sustainable. The team psychiatrist will have a key leadership role in demonstrating that they are caring for themselves. There will be strong links with Occupational Health and Human Resources. Early graded return to work after sick leave, career support, flexible working and support for staff with disabilities will be prioritised.
- Considering carbon; attempts made to review and reduce the carbon footprint of care, much of which lies in procurement of medication, equipment, travel and medical supplies. Considering the climate emergency and taking appropriate measures to limit it.
Leadership and teamwork
- Effective, collaborative leadership
- Strong team-working ethos, in which every team member has a well-defined role
- Well-defined support for staff
Effective use of resources
- Demonstrate how the reduction of resource use was considered and achieved
- Demonstrate that quality of life for patients, carers and/or staff was improved
Entries should relate to work undertaken, at least in part, between January 2023 and December 2023.
Please ensure that you have read the general Rules for Entry.
The Lifetime Achievement Award is chosen by the Nominations Committee at their annual autumn meeting.
If you'd like to propose a recipient for the 2025 award, please send a citation of no more than one page setting out why you feel the nominee should receive this award. Citations should be sent to MembershipServices@rcpsych.ac.uk by 15 September 2024.
Further information
If you have any queries about the awards, please contact the Membership Services team on MembershipServices@rcpsych.ac.uk.