HEIW's Integrated Medium-Term Plan (IMTP) for 2026-2029 sets out how we will continue to develop a skilled, sustainable and future-focused workforce for NHS Wales.
Building on the ambitions of the Workforce Strategy for Health and Social Care in Wales, the plan focuses on equipping NHS Wales with a productive, healthy and engaged workforce that can respond to changing population needs, technological advances and new models of care.
What does this mean for healthcare services in Wales?
The IMTP comprises five strategic priorities designed to strengthen workforce sustainability, transform education and training and support service redesign across NHS Wales:
- Shaping the conditions for a productive, healthy and engaged workforce
- Optimising leadership and management development
- Reshaping and transforming our current workforce models
- Transforming education and training to meet changing needs
- Future-focused workforce planning
Our five strategic priorities will:
- Support a productive, healthy and engaged workforce through improved staff experience, retention and compassionate cultures
- Strengthen leadership and management development across NHS Wales
- Support the shift towards preventative, community-based and digitally enabled care
- Modernise education and training to better meet future workforce needs
- Improve workforce planning, data and intelligence to support long-term workforce sustainability
- Expand digital capability and AI-enabled learning across the workforce
- Support new workforce models, multi-professional working and skills-based approaches to care
- Continue to improve access to high-quality education, training and career development opportunities.
The plan reflects the expectations and priorities set out for HEIW within the Welsh Government Remit Letter for 2026-27 and also supports delivery of the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care’s priorities for NHS Wales, including:
- Timely Access to Care
- Population Health and Prevention
- Community by Design
- Mental Health Access
- Women’s Health
- Quality and Safety.
For further information please see our News page or contact: 📧 heiw@wales.nhs.uk