Transforming the workforce for a healthier Wales

Health Education and Improvement Wales (HEIW) is the statutory education and strategic workforce organisation for NHS Wales.

As a Special Health Authority with an all-Wales remit, we work with partners across health, social care, education and government to strengthen the workforce that underpins care in NHS Wales.

As the national body for workforce planning, education, training and leadership, we play a system wide role in helping NHS Wales respond to current and future workforce needs.

Why we exist

The health and care system faces growing and complex challenges, including; workforce shortages, changing population needs, new models of care and rapid advances in digital and clinical practice.

The workforce challenge is national, long‑term and multi‑professional. Our role is to provide clear national direction, high quality workforce intelligence, and Once for Wales solutions that support sustainable services across Wales.

Our role is to help the system respond to these challenges by:

planning for the workforce Wales needs
developing the skills and confidence of people at every stage of their career
supporting transformation so services can adapt and improve

Ultimately, our work helps improve the quality, safety and sustainability of care across Wales.

Our vision, purpose and values

Transforming the workforce for a healthier Wales through partnership, developing a skilled and sustainable workforce that improves care and population health.

Our culture is shaped with our staff and guided by our values:

Who we work with

We work with people and organisations across the health and care system, including:

students, trainees and learners
NHS organisations, health boards and trusts
universities and education providers
professional bodies and regulators
Welsh Government and national partners

We bring people together to support shared priorities and long-term workforce improvement across Wales.

What we do

We provide national strategic leadership across education, workforce planning and transformation. Our work focuses on a number of core areas:

Our impact

We add value to the health and care system in Wales by:

Strengthening workforce sustainability through better planning, recruitment and retention
Improving workforce intelligence and insight to support national decision making
Accelerating workforce readiness in priority and shortage areas
Supporting integration across health and social care
Future proofing skills through digital learning, simulation, AI and modern education models
Embedding compassionate leadership and inclusive practice
Developing national workforce solutions that improve quality and productivity

How we are governed

Sitting alongside health boards and trusts as part of NHS Wales, our work is guided by national policy and the Workforce Strategy for Health and Social Care in Wales, and is delivered through our Integrated Medium Term Plan.

Find out more

For a deeper look at our role, impact and achievements, you can also read our organisational brochure.