HEIW Highlights - 27 March 2026

HEIW improves patient care by ensuring NHS Wales has a well-trained, sustainable and supported workforce - leading to faster access, more consistent quality and better health outcomes for people across Wales. Here’s some of our latest news:

• At our recent Strategic Workforce Planning Conference, colleagues from across NHS Wales came together to explore how digital tools, data and artificial intelligence are reshaping the workforce. Read more: https://heiw.nhs.wales/updates/news/workforce-planners-encouraged-to-embrace-digital-curiosity-across-nhs-wales

• Dental teams are invited to Emergency Management study day. This focused study day is open to the entire dental team. Book your place: https://ytydysgu.heiw.wales/events/5b6959ce-c911-4401-b0e3-08a801bff0f6/overview

• As part of our Strategic Mental Health Workforce Plan for Health and Social Care, we’ve supported 840 healthcare professionals across Wales to develop skills in BRIEF Solution Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT). This is helping the mental health workforce deliver high quality, meaningful care. Read more: https://heiw.nhs.wales/updates/news/strengthening-mental-health-care-with-solution-focused-brief-therapy-sfbt/

• For the first time, newly qualified pharmacists in Wales are joining the workforce as Independent Prescribers from their very first day. This means they can assess patients, make clinical decisions and prescribe treatment straight away, helping people get quicker, easier access to care in community pharmacies and primary care. Read more: https://heiw.nhs.wales/updates/news/a-new-era-for-pharmacy-in-wales-as-first-pharmacists-qualify-as-independent-prescribers-from-day-one/

• Welcome to Dr Sam Donohue, who has been appointed as our new Executive Director of Nursing, Health Professions and Quality. In her new role, she will play a key part in how NHS Wales develops its current and future workforce.
With a focus on nursing, midwifery, allied health professions and healthcare science, Sam will work with partners to embed multi professional working, sustainable workforce models and flexible career pathways.
https://heiw.nhs.wales/updates/news/health-education-and-improvement-wales-heiw-have-appointed-dr-sam-donohue-to-the-role-of-director-of-nursing-health-professions-and-quality/

• Our data shows the majority of bursary supported dental hygiene and therapy graduates are choosing to stay and work in Wales. In 2025, 90% of dental therapists and 63% of dental hygienists were still in Wales eight months after qualifying. Learn more: https://heiw.nhs.wales/updates/news/nhs-wales-bursary-boosts-retention-of-dental-hygienists-and-therapists-in-wales/

• We have launched an exciting new exhibit that lets visitors step inside a virtual hospital and explore real NHS scenarios, guided by real healthcare scientists. You can read more here: https://heiw.nhs.wales/updates/news/new-immersive-healthcare-science-experience-launched-by-heiw-at-xplore-science-discovery-centre/

Further news: https://heiw.nhs.wales/updates/news/