Learner voice

In Health Education and Improvement Wales (HEIW), the learner voice ensures that learners’ views and experiences are heard, valued and used to shape education and training, now and in the future.

This includes giving learners opportunities to share feedback, gathering insights regularly and involving them in decisions that affect their education at every level.

What is HEIW’s role in the learner voice?

HEIW plays a strategic role in embedding learner voice across healthcare education in Wales. We work with universities, NHS Wales, professional bodies and student representatives to ensure learner perspectives inform decision making.

We create opportunities for learners to influence national programmes of work, quality improvement and strategic developments. We also act as a connector across the system, ensuring feedback reaches education and healthcare leaders and supports continuous improvement in both learning and practice environments.

How does HEIW support the learner voice?

HEIW embeds the learner voice within its quality management system, ensuring feedback is used to drive improvement and inform strategic decisions.

This includes the Wales Health Student Forum, national and local feedback tools, safe and confidential routes to raise concerns and wider engagement that shapes policy and education design. Through these opportunities, learners can highlight good practice, raise issues, suggest improvements and influence how healthcare education is delivered in Wales. This supports better outcomes for the future NHS workforce.

What is the impact of the learner voice?

The learner voice improves the quality and relevance of healthcare education by helping providers understand what works and what needs to change.

It supports more inclusive learning environments by recognising diverse experiences and addressing issues that affect wellbeing, equality and belonging.

It also helps build a confident, skilled future workforce by involving learners in shaping their education and professional development.