Entry criteria

1. Entries are open to professionals working in palliative care individually or as members of a team.

2. Entries should be made either by the individual or through the nomination of a colleague, for example, a manager or a supervisor.

3. Each entry should be supported by a statement of no more than 500 words, as to why the entrant feels he/she/they should win that particular category.

4. For each entry, there should also be a supporting statement of no more than 300 words signed by a manager and/or supervisor verifying that the entrant has indeed achieved that described in their submission.

5. Each submission will be judged by up to four judges.

6. Each category will have a winner and two runner-up winners.

7. Short-listed candidates will be invited to a gala dinner and awards ceremony at a prestigious venue in London on 29 March 2012.

8. No one employed or closely associated with International Journal of Palliative Nursing or MA Healthcare Ltd, be that employee, spouse, close relative or regular contributor or columnist, may enter the awards.

9. In certain circumstances, if the standard of entries is considered not high enough, the judges may elect not to make a particular award.

10. The closing date for entries in all categories is 20 JANUARY 2012.

11. The decision of the judges is final and no correspondence can be entered into.