Healthcare science workforce planning
Healthcare science professionals work in almost every service within the NHS. As a result, the professions are included in a number of specific workforce plans.
The Healthcare Science Programme collaborates across the NHS Wales Performance and Improvement networks and programmes including the National Pathology Programme, National Imaging Programme and Genomics Partnership Wales,
Healthcare science workforce data quality - ESR
A review of Healthcare Science classification use in the Electronic Staff Record (ESR) for NHS Wales was led by the national Healthcare Science Programme, which is funded by Welsh Government and managed by Health Education and Improvement Wales (HEIW).
Significant variation was found across NHS Wales in the use of Occupation Codes and Job Roles both across equivalent services in different health boards and trusts, and across different professional areas within Healthcare Science. Tertiary Areas of Work were similarly varied – in terms of level of detail, and with medical area codes commonly used instead.
Working with NHS Wales Shared Services Partnership (NWSSP), the Healthcare Science profession, and Executive Directors of Therapies and Health Science, small changes to ESR coding (Occupation Codes, Job Roles and Tertiary Areas of Work) indicated from the review these have been introduced into ESR in NWD3.5 June 2024.
This refreshed guidance supports data quality and consistent coding across the healthcare science professions in NHS Wales.
Data Quality Dashboard: Healthcare Science Data Quality - Power BI
Workforce plans and models across NHS Wales:
The 2023 Strategy for Developing a Radiology Workforce Model for Wales sets out a collaborative, locally informed approach led by the National Imaging Programme and HEIW to assess workforce needs and deliver coordinated national and local actions for the radiology workforce across Wales. BUILDING THE NHS WALES IMAGING WORKFORCE MODEL Strategy for Developing a Radiology Workforce Model for Wales.
The HEIW Diagnostics Workforce Plan integrates coordinated short‑to‑medium‑term actions across national Imaging, Pathology, Endoscopy and Healthcare Science programmes—setting out 25 workforce initiatives to build diagnostic capacity, support digital and regional transformation. Diagnostics Workforce Plan.
The Genomics Delivery Plan for Wales sets out priorities to embed genomics into routine healthcare, improving diagnosis, treatment and outcomes through equitable access to genomic services across the NHS in Wales. Genomics Delivery Plan for Wales.
This strategy sets out a five-year plan to build a sustainable, multi-professional primary care workforce in Wales, with a focus on recruitment, retention, training and the development of roles such as physician associates, pharmacists, optometrists and dental professionals to improve access and outcomes in community settings. Strategic Workforce Plan for Primary Care.
The Strategic Pharmacy Workforce Plan outlines actions to strengthen and modernise the pharmacy workforce across hospital, primary care and community settings, focusing on leadership, digital skills, recruitment, training and integrated working to support evolving clinical roles and medicines services. Strategic Pharmacy Workforce Plan.
The Strategic Perinatal Workforce Plan outlines national actions to develop a skilled multiprofessional workforce that can deliver safe, equitable and high-quality care for women, babies and families across Wales. Perinatal Workforce Plan.
Workforce Planning
Workforce planning is at the heart of HEIW. You can access our Workforce planning hub to get guidance and resources to develop workforce plans and support transformation of the workforce.