The Department of Health is currently undertaking a review of the procedures, operation and practice of the distinction and meritorious service award scheme. The following paper describes the College's current nomination procedure in England and Wales. It may be necessary to change this procedure when details of the new arrangements are received from the Department of Health. Further details will, therefore, appear on the College's website (http://www.rcpsych.ac.uk ).

The President has identified two distinction awards advisers in each NHS region in England (apart from London, which has four advisers) and two in Wales. At least one, and often both, of the advisers will also serve on his or her regional awards committee. Statistics showing the speciality/gender/ethnic backgrounds of those consultants eligible for awards are produced each year by the College secretariat. Although awards continue to be made on merit, regions, faculties and sections are asked to consider these statistics when submitting their list of recommendations.

Towards the end of the year the distinction awards advisers in England and Wales, in consultation with the chairmen of divisions and other senior award holders, produce a list of nominations in rank order for their region. The chairmen of faculties and sections (if eligible), in consultation with senior award-holders in their faculty or section, also produce lists in rank order. Senior College officers meet to consider members who have made a significant contribution to the College. They will also consider individual nominations from College members concerned that they have been overlooked. Any College member wishing to be considered in this way should write to the College Secretary by the end of October, requesting an Advisory Committee on Distinction Awards curriculum vitae (ACDA CV) questionnaire form.

These various lists of nominations are sent to the College and are merged to form one composite list. This is then sent to all committee members, together with the CV questionnaires (but not the citations) shortly before the College's annual distinction awards meeting, usually held at the end of January.

The President chairs the meeting and its members consist of the honorary officers, two distinction awards advisers in each NHS region in England and Wales, the chairpersons of division, faculties and sections (if they have awards). Its task is to produce the College's final list of nominations from the composite lists produced by the regions, faculties, sections and honorary officers. The College Secretary and her personal assistant provide administrative support.

Only the names on the composite list of nominations are considered at the meeting and then only if the CV questionnaires and citations have been received in advance of the meeting. The Committee member who has made the nomination will speak briefly on behalf of each candidate. Some names are removed from the list at this stage. The Committee are given ample time to consider the paperwork, together with the relevant statistics, and finally to cast their votes.

The final list of College nominations is then submitted to the ACDA. Further information of the distinction awards procedures can be viewed at http://www.doh.gov.uk/nhsexec/acda.htm.