HEIW celebrates milestone in expanding access to nurse training in North Wales
Health Education and Improvement Wales (HEIW) is proud to mark a significant milestone in its mission to provide excellent education and training, widen access to healthcare careers and strengthen the future workforce in North Wales.
A cohort of nursing students has successfully completed their studies under HEIW’s first commissioning contract with Wrexham University, launched in 2022.
The cohort includes the first nursing students to train in central North Wales in over 30 years – an important step in restoring access to education in more rural areas and ensuring equitable workforce development across the region.
HEIW commissions nursing programmes in both Wrexham and Bangor University, working closely with partners to widen access to nurse training, increase the number of nursing graduates and enhance the healthcare workforce in North Wales.
Sustainable workforce and serving the population
Expanding nurse training in North Wales has been a crucial step in building a sustainable, place-based nursing workforce that meets the needs of local populations. And by enabling learners to study closer to home and access tailored support throughout their training journey, it has resulted in increased uptake in nurse training in North Wales.
Martin Riley, Deputy Director of Education Commissioning and Quality at HEIW said:
“When HEIW commissioned the nursing course at Wrexham University in 2022, it wasn’t simply about launching a qualification, it was about answering a vital call. We recognised the urgent need for skilled, compassionate nurses across the region.
The course creates accessibility, sustainability, and helps build a workforce that is truly rooted in the communities it serves.”
Placement opportunities to strengthen skills
HEIW strives to deliver excellent education and training and placements form a fundamental part of this. Placements offer students hands-on experience to develop essential skills in patient communication and care.
Nurse training entails 50% theoretical studies and 50% placement learning. Facilitating the wide range of placements required in North Wales has required close collaborative work between HEIW, universities, and placement providers, so that students in North Wales have access to a wide range of quality placements to enhance their training.
Simon Cassidy, Head of Placement Experience and Improvement in HEIW commented:
“Transitional arrangements to practice-based learning for nursing students in North Wales and within Betsi Cadwaldr UHB in particular, have led to beneficial outcomes for students. However, the way education and placement provider stakeholders have come together to help find innovative solutions to capacity issues has been extremely positive and has enabled students to progress their learning and meet the requirements of their programme on time.”
Congratulations to graduates
HEIW would like to congratulate the achievements of this year’s graduates across the whole of Wales, reflecting on their remarkable journey and the vital role they will play in shaping the future of healthcare in Wales.
HEIW continues to work in partnership with health boards and education providers across Wales to deliver innovative, inclusive training pathways that empower future nurses and transform care delivery in Wales.
Nursing and healthcare careers in NHS Wales
HEIW commissions nurse training in:
- Aberystwyth University
- Bangor University
- Cardiff University
- Swansea University
- University of South Wales
- Wrexham University
For further information on how to get into nursing and the funding options available in Wales, please visit HEIW’s dedicated web page.
Did you know, there are over 350+ careers in NHS Wales? With roles in everything from hospital chefs to art therapists, there is a role to suit all. Find out more.