About us
HEIW is the statutory education body and strategic workforce organisation for NHS Wales.
We spend the largest proportion of our budget on commissioning education and training for NHS Wales. However, the majority of our work focuses on workforce planning. We also set the direction for leadership in NHS Wales.
Our vision is “transforming the workforce for a Healthier Wales.”
Our purpose is, “as part of the NHS, to work with partners to develop a skilled and sustainable workforce that improves care and population health”.
To achieve these, we have 8 strategic priorities within our three-year plan for 2025 to 2028. We refer to this as our IMTP (Integrated Medium-Term Plan), full details are on our Integrated Medium-Term Plan (IMTP) for 2025-2028 - HEIW page.
Our strategic work is underpinned by our eight statutory functions:
- Planning, commissioning and delivering education and training
- Leadership, culture and succession planning
- Workforce strategy, planning, and intelligence
- Workforce development and transformation
- Attraction, careers and widening access
- Professional support for workforce and organisational development
Our story
In 2014, the Welsh Government reviewed their investment in healthcare education and workforce development. This led to the creation of our organisation, Health Education and Improvement Wales (HEIW) in October 2018. It was formed by merging three key healthcare organisations: the Wales Deanery, NHS Wales’s Workforce Education and Development Services (WEDS), and the Wales Centre for Pharmacy Professional Education (WCPPE). This merge provides a unified approach to education and training, workforce modernisation, and planning within the NHS in Wales.
Values and behaviours
Our values revolve around respect, teamwork, and a commitment to continuous improvement. We listen actively, treat others fairly, and foster a culture of inclusivity. We encourage creativity and innovation while maintaining a positive and constructive approach.