HEIW launch the Strategic Nursing Workforce Plan for Wales 2025 - 2030
Health Education and Improvement Wales (HEIW) is excited to launch the much-anticipated Strategic Nursing Workforce Plan for Wales 2025-2030. The launch takes place today at the HEIW Nursing Workforce Conference in Llandrindod Wells, marking a significant milestone in shaping the future of nursing in Wales.
This is the first plan of its kind, developed in response to the needs of nearly 40,000 nurses working across NHS Wales. With a collaborative, all-Wales focus, this plan is set to grow, transform, and support the nursing workforce, ensuring that it is equipped to meet the evolving healthcare demands of the Welsh population.
Nurses are the backbone of NHS Wales, providing care across Adult, Paediatric, Mental Health, and Learning Disabilities nursing. Their impact spans across hospitals, communities, and people’s homes, playing a vital role in patient care, making every contact count, supporting and enabling people to improve their own health. Ensuring a sustainable and well-supported workforce is essential for delivering high-quality, person-centred care.
Using HEIW’s three-pillar approach—workforce intelligence and analysis, research and innovation, and engagement—the plan is built on robust data and collective expertise. Key steps in the development included:
- Data-driven insights: A full review of nursing workforce data alongside the development of a supply and demand and model.
- Best practice research: Analysis of numerous reports and strategic drivers impacting the workforce over the next five years.
- Extensive engagement: Two phases of consultation with key stakeholders including nurses, students and education partners to ensure the plan reflects the needs of those it serves.
The Strategic Nursing Workforce Plan outlines a series of targeted actions over the next five years, to be implemented in collaboration with Welsh Government, Health Boards and Trusts, Primary Care, the Royal College of Nursing, and other key stakeholders. These actions focus on three key areas:
1. Growing the Workforce
- Expanding the workforce to meet increasing demand.
- Implementing innovative recruitment and retention strategies to attract new talent and retain experienced nurses.
2. Supporting the Workforce
- Prioritising nurse wellbeing to build a resilient workforce.
- Enhancing educational programmes and career development opportunities.
- Promoting a positive and supportive work environment to improve job satisfaction and patient outcomes.
- Championing diversity and inclusion within the nursing workforce.
3. Transforming the Workforce
- Introducing new workforce models for both community and hospital settings.
- Strengthening skills and knowledge in genomics, data literacy, and automated healthcare.
- Aligning workforce capabilities with prevention-focused healthcare strategies to improve public health.
The success of this plan depends on the collective effort of nurses, educators, policymakers, and healthcare leaders. By working together, we can build a resilient, future-ready nursing workforce that delivers high-quality care and improved health outcomes for the people of Wales.
Sue Tranka, Chief Nursing Officer | Nurse Director NHS Wales commented,
"Shaped through extensive engagement, this Strategic Nursing Workforce Plan presents a key opportunity for transformational change. Investing in nurses strengthens healthcare and enhances community wellbeing across Wales. I am grateful to all who contributed their time and expertise, its success relies on our shared commitment to valuing, supporting, and empowering nurses to deliver exceptional care now and in the future."
Lisa Llewelyn, Executive Director of Nursing, Health Professionals and Quality at HEIW said:
“I am really pleased to introduce this Strategic Nursing Workforce Plan for 2025 - 2030. The Plan aims to address current and future challenges facing the nursing workforce. It is designed to enhance nursing by supporting the professional growth and well-being of our nursing staff, ensuring they are educated and skilled to meet the future healthcare needs of the population of Wales.”
Nico, third year Adult Nursing Student also commented, “For me, it’s the people of Wales working together as a team, delivering excellent community-based care, using technology, helping people stay out of hospital living healthier, happier lives”.
For more information and to read the full Strategic Nursing Workforce Plan, visit our website and follow us on Facebook and LinkedIn via #NursingWorkforceWales.