Published 9 September 2025
Health Education and Improvement Wales (HEIW) has partnered with the National Imaging Academy Wales (NIAW) to deliver Wales’ first accredited training programme in adult peripheral venous cannulation, a procedure whereby a thin and flexible tube is inserted into the peripheral vein, typically in the arm or hand, to deliver medications or collect blood samples. The Agored Cymru Level 3 course is tailored to Radiology Clinical Support Workers, equipping them with the skills and knowledge to safely perform cannulation for NHS clinical services.
This innovative course was developed in response to a recognised service need by the NHS Wales Imaging Workforce and Education Group, addressing bottlenecks in existing training provision that included long waiting lists and therefore a less efficient workforce. HEIW played a pivotal role in supporting NIAW to become an Agored Cymru accredited centre, while also guiding the development, implementation, and quality assurance of the course.
Organised by Patricia Mathias-Lloyd and Teresa Davies-Elvin from HEIW, alongside Mair Davidson and Lea Owen from NIAW, the training was delivered by expert radiologists Dr Alison Yates (CTMUHB) and Dr Christopher Williams (ABUHB). Seven delegates attended the pilot, receiving comprehensive instruction in both theoretical knowledge and supervised simulation practice.
Feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with 100% of participants finding the course engaging and appropriately pitched. Staff are now able to perform cannulation more efficiently within their departments, resulting in reduced patient waiting times and eliminating the need for external personnel to carry out the procedure.
The success of the pilot has led to the launch of Cohort Two, which will run until 2026 with gradually reduced supervision from HEIW, a testament to the programme’s sustainability and impact.
In a newsletter published by NAIW they commented ‘We were also delighted to welcome Teresa Davies-Elvin, Quality Manager at Health Education and Improvement Wales (HEIW), whose ongoing support - alongside that of the wider HEIW team, has been invaluable in developing this partnership.'
Aligned with HEIW’s IMTP priority to deliver excellent, modern and responsive education and training, this collaboration shows how HEIW and NIAW can rapidly address workforce needs with formally recognised, high-impact training that strengthens services and improves patient care across NHS Wales.