In 2021-22, Health Education and Improvement Wales (HEIW) should support doctors to deliver the best care possible by investing in postgraduate training, medical education, and career development.
We welcome the publication of the Health Education and Improvement Wales (HEIW) draft annual plan. It is a comprehensive and detailed overview of the organisation’s planned work for 2021—2022.
Key recommendations
The RCP now calls on HEIW, NHS Wales and Welsh government to work together to:
- increase the supply of doctors across all parts of the medical workforce
- guarantee protected time for research, education, quality improvement and leadership schemes
- deliver on their commitment to make staff health and wellbeing a national priority.
Physician associate regulation must be fast tracked, medical school places should be increased and there should be more flexible working. Perhaps most importantly, all clinicians must be allowed time and space to rest and recuperate once the pandemic begins to slow down.