Shaping primary and community care
The Strategic Workforce Plan for Primary Care (SWPPC) developed by Health Education and Improvement Wales (HEIW) and the Strategic Programme for Primary Care (SPPC) with partners, is helping to transform how services in Wales are designed, delivered, and supported. By focusing on education, training, career pathways, and better recruitment and retention, the plan sets a clear direction for building a sustainable, compassionate, and skilled primary care workforce that can meet the needs of communities across Wales.
Over 50 actions were set out to strengthen the workforce, aligned with the national Workforce Strategy for Health and Social Care. Year One has already delivered significant impact, helping to create the foundation for more joined-up, person-centred care.
Highlights from Year One
Enhancing workforce planning
HEIW has developed a new dashboard to support future GP workforce planning. The dashboard uses data to help make decisions based on what services people will need. This supports the resilience, growth and development of primary care in Wales.
The dashboard has already informed discussions around expanding GP training numbers and building multidisciplinary care teams. It also helps identify pressure points early, before they escalate. In Year Two, the dashboard will be expanded to include data for community pharmacy, optometry and dental services.
Increasing primary care training placements
More foundation doctors are now training in general practice, with GP placements up by 18, giving half of all foundation doctors early primary care experience. This encourages future GP training, strengthens collaboration with hospital teams, and helps build a more resilient primary care workforce to meet patient needs.
Strengthening the dental workforce
Expanded through SWPPC funding, the dental educator course supports smoother workforce transitions for all dental roles by training mentors to become Dental Foundation Training Educational Supervisors (DFTESs). In year one, 30 new DFTESs were trained and 15 existing supervisors received refresher training, with high satisfaction reported. This investment supports a more skilled dental workforce, contributing to improved care and service delivery across Wales.
An increase in uptake of ‘Making Every Contact Count’
HEIW’s support of Making Every Contact Count (MECC) training for optometry staff across Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board and Aneurin Bevan University Health Board has boosted confidence in promoting healthier behaviours. Evaluation has revealed that optometry referral rates into Help Me Quit have significantly increased with 66% of all referrals from Optometry practices in Wales originating from these two health boards. These results demonstrate how prevention-focused approaches are enabling earlier interventions, supporting healthier lives and encouraging more proactive care in Wales.
Leadership development
The Cluster Leadership Development Programme has strengthened primary care leadership across Wales, training around 100 Cluster and Collaborative Leads over four cohorts. Participants reported improved skills, greater confidence, and enhanced collaboration, enabling more effective decision-making and service improvements at cluster level.
Supporting a more inclusive healthcare system
HEIW commissioned the development of the multi-professional primary care capabilities training and education framework for inclusion, prison, custody suites, and health services in Wales. This aims to support consistent and competent care delivery across complex and high-need settings including those in prison, custody suites and health services across Wales.
Looking ahead
Year Two is already underway, and we’ll be sharing a progress update soon. Building on Year One achievements, it introduces new actions to further strengthen the primary care workforce, with a strong focus on prevention, staff wellbeing, and creating fairer, faster, and more personalised services. For patients, this translates into timelier support from skilled professionals who feel valued and confident in their roles.
Contact the Strategic Workforce Plan for Primary Care Team to find out more.