Shining a Light on Success: EQA report shows HEIW's commitment to excellent education as clinical photography learners excel in first accredited Cohort
Published 10 November 2025
Health Education and Improvement Wales (HEIW) is pleased to announce the success of its new Level 7 Diploma in Clinical Photography, with the first cohort celebrating completion of the course.
Accredited by Agored Cymru, the diploma is the first of its kind to be delivered in Wales and has been praised in a recent External Quality Assurance (EQA) report for its high-standard design and delivery.
Forming part of HEIW’s IMTP 2025-2028 plan to deliver excellent education and training to create a future ready workforce that positively impacts patient care, the course exemplifies the work going into delivering quality learning and development opportunities that aim to meet the evolving demands of healthcare in Wales.
What is Clinical Photography?
Clinical photography is a specialist field that combines technical photographic skills with medical knowledge to document patients’ conditions, treatments, and progress. These images are vital for diagnosis, treatment planning, research, and education, helping healthcare professionals deliver the best possible care.
Evidence of Excellence
Delivering a qualification accredited by Agored Cymru requires a rigorous process to ensure every learner is fully supported from course enrolment to completion.
The process included:
- Competent staff delivering, assessing, and quality assuring all learner work.
- Assessors being observed and supported to maintain high standards.
- Internal Quality Assurers (IQAs) ensuring all assessment activities met Agored Cymru’s robust requirements.
- Regular meetings with Heads of Clinical Photography departments guaranteed that the qualification remains relevant and responsive to workplace needs.
- Where work initially did not meet the required criteria, learners were given clear, constructive feedback and opportunities to resubmit, ensuring fair access and learner development.
The EQA report praised internal quality assurance and highlighted the breadth and quality of assessment methods used. It also found that all assessment evidence was valid, reliable, current, and authentic.
Celebrating Achievements
Agored Cymru noted:
“The EQA acknowledges the centre's hard work, reflective approach and commitment to high-quality provision during the first full cycle of this qualification. There is clear evidence of assessment and IQA activities that are robust and proactive.”
Notably, two learners presented their service improvement projects at the Institute of Medical Illustrators Annual Conference in Newcastle, and the HEIW clinical photography team staff have shared their experiences at both national and international conferences, raising the profile of clinical photography education in Wales.
Looking Ahead
The successful first cycle sets a high standard for future cohorts. The commitment to reflective practice, continuous improvement, and learner support ensures that HEIW and Agored Cymru continue to deliver qualifications that meet the highest standards.
This partnership looks forward to preparing learners in future cohorts for impactful careers in clinical photography that support diagnosis, treatment, and ongoing care for patients in Wales. HEIW are currently supporting Cohort 2 and 3 through their journey.