HEIW secures Taith funding to expand global health placements for GP Registrars
Published 30/12/2025
Health Education and Improvement Wales (HEIW) is delighted to share that its GP School Global Health Programme has secured funding from Taith, Wales’ international learning exchange programme, for 2026 and 2027.
The announcement follows Taith’s celebration event at the Senedd in November, where partners along with Dr Ian Happs, from HEIW came together to highlight the programme’s impact and future opportunities. Taith “taking Wales to the world and bringing the world to Wales” enables people in Wales to study, train, volunteer, and work internationally, whilst welcoming learners and partners from across the globe.
We are welcoming learners from our partner organisations. We have already hosted two GP registrars from Cantabria, one in August and September 2024 and one in 2025. That was before the Taith funding was received, but now our colleagues in Japan and Lesotho are selecting candidates from amongst their GP/Family Medicine registrars to travel to Wales during the next two years. They will be supported by the funding from Taith.
This funding will allow HEIW to offer GP registrars the chance to spend up to eight weeks with partner organisations in Lesotho, Japan and Spain, broadening their understanding of diverse models of primary care worldwide.
By observing different models of primary care, registrars can bring back fresh ideas and approaches that enhance patient care and strengthen services in Wales. These experiences help shape adaptable, forward-thinking practitioners, reflecting HEIW’s commitment to excellent education and training and its ambition to build a skilled workforce for a healthier Wales. The grant covers travel and subsistence for four registrars each year, ensuring that financial barriers do not prevent participation.
Dr Alistair Bennett, Head of the GP School, said: “I’m delighted that the grant money from Taith is helping to support our GP registrars and build professional relationships between Wales and Lesotho, Japan and Spain. The programme is a two-way exchange, promoting mutual learning and collaborative healthcare.”
Dr Ian Happs, HEIW Global Health Lead for General Practice, added: “This is a fantastic opportunity for HEIW and for GP registrars in Wales. By learning from different models of primary care, our registrars will bring back insights that can improve patient care and strengthen services here in Wales. It’s amazing to have the support of Welsh Government, through Taith, to promote vital international friendships and share learning experiences across the world.”
The first placements for 2026 are in Lesotho during April and May, if you are a GP and are interested in taking part you need to submit an application via the attached form by midnight on Wednesday 31 December 2025
For more information;https://heiw.nhs.wales/education-and-training/general-practice-gp/current-gp-trainees/global-health-experience-ghe/
Successful applicants will be invited for interview in Cardiff on Wednesday 21 January 2026. Deployment will be conditional on achieving an outcome 1 in the ARCP at the end of ST1.
Further information is available from:
Dr Faye Stockton, Associate Dean, HEIW faye.stockton@wales.nhs.uk
Dr Ian Happs, Global Health lead, HEIW ian.happs@wales.nhs.uk