Judging Process

Judges are selected from across the NHS and wider healthcare sector. Judges contribute valuable time and effort to work through hundreds of entries, reviewing against strict criteria and attributing scores against a transparent system aimed at rewarding and recognising the best of the health and care sector across the UK.

Judging takes place over two stages - each stage is designed to provide a fair and transparent process.

• Stage One: Remote Judging
  Once the entry phase closes all the submissions will be sent to our judges for online review over 5 weeks. Check the scoring matrix to see the criteria the judges will use. 
• Stage Two: Virtual Presentations
  Once the shortlist is announced on 23 November 2026, all finalists will be invited to give a virtual 10-minute presentation followed by a 15-minute Q&A session with our judging panel.The stage two dates per category are listed here.