Hints and tips

Read the category text carefully and make sure you provide the requested information.

Use hard data to substantiate your claims wherever possible.

Assume nothing – don't forget to tell the judges if you are a prescriber, a pharmacist with a special interest or that you only work part-time. Remember they can only judge you on what you tell them so S P E L L it out.

Keep the message clear. Bullet points, sub-heads and short punchy sentences make it easier to present your case. Jargon and acronyms will bore and confuse the judges.

Testimonials from service users/colleagues/healthcare professionals help to sell your entry to the judges.

Don't be afraid to sell yourself – make sure your passion comes through.

Use all of the word count – and make each word count. An entry is no different to selling your services to an employer or commissioner – so be succinct and keep to the point and if you make a claim make sure you can support it with a fact.

Plan your entry – don't just string it together.

Okay, the following sample entry is a little over the top, but it does show how to grab the judges' attention and sell your story

How not to do it…

Rab Roy joined Magic Pharmacy in 1997. Rab works really hard and is often asked for in person by the customers. A screening service for patients aged over 60 years of age with higher associated risk of developing cancer was researched and instigated by Rab and his pharmacy team. Rab is very well received by the members of his pharmacy team.

Medicine use reviews are an area that Rab considers to be of necessary importance and his team will endeavour to complete as many as possible. Rab has ensured the pharmacy is kept highly organised, reducing stock holding and ensuring date checking and other standards are adhered to in the professional manner required. Rab has been invited to speak at two RPSGB branch meetings.

He talked about the patient outcome you might consider when trying to persuade a PCT to provide monetary support for a proposed pharmacy service looking at screening patients aged 60 or over with higher associated risk of developing cancer.

The second meeting saw Rab talk on what the key successes were when offering nicotine replacement therapy and support to patients looking to abstain from smoking.

Early this summer, one man suffering back pain passed blood when he used the toilet at the pharmacy and was referred after a consultation with Rab to his local GP who then diagnosed the man with early prostate cancer.

Thanks to the early discovery the man has since made a full recovery.

 

The winning formula

Rob Roy has battled relentlessly to protect his community in Godbury against the UK's biggest killer.
When Rob found a shocking one in 10 residents had grandparents with cancer he vowed to make a difference. He inspired his pharmacy team to launch a trailblazing cancer screening service for the elderly. In just six months staff identified 16 patients later diagnosed with cancer after referral to their GP.

But it's not just elderly patients who have Rob to thank for their wellbeing. One 30-something father-of-three has much to thank his local community pharmacist for. When he came to see Rob to pick up a routine prescription he didn't know it would be a life changing visit.

The gentlemen used the pharmacy toilet and was distressed to see blood in his urine. Rob swooped into action. Sensing the possible danger, he persuaded the patient to come into his consultation area for a confidential chat. Rob urged the gentlemen to visit his GP for a precautionary check up. It only when he acted on Rob's advice, the patient was diagnosed with cancer.

The GP was able to fast track the man for life-saving treatment - had the cancer gone undetected for another few months, the GP later said, he would not have survived. Thankfully for him and many others in Godbury there is a guardian angel who goes by the name of Rob Roy to protect them.

Judging

There are 30 expert pharmacy judges (four per category) who mark the entries. The judges will independently score entries against the award criteria set out in each category – so make sure you provide all the information requested. The judges' scores will be collated to find the winner. C+D will notify those who have made it to the shortlist and publish details in C+D magazine and online.


All shortlisted entrants will be invited as C+D's guests to the awards ceremony on Tuesday May 29, 2012 at The Brewery in London, where the winners will be revealed and presented with their trophies. The winners will also be featured in C+D.


All entries are treated in the strictest confidence. Judges sign a confidentiality agreement and sensitive entry information is not published. Non-sensitive information may be published as part of C+D's awards coverage in print, online, at the awards event and in any promotional material. We are unable to return any entries or supporting material and you may wish to upload copies rather than original documents.


Work referred to in awards entries should have taken place between January 1, 2011 and December 31, 2011. Preparatory work could have taken place earlier than January 1, but only results achieved in 2011 will be taken into