Welsh NHS Confederation

The only national membership body representing all the organisations making up the NHS in Wales.

Spotlight

Report

The Welsh NHS Confederation's calls for the 2026 Senedd election

7 May 2025

Following a survey of 95 NHS leaders, the Welsh NHS Confederation outlines key areas for political parties' manifestos for the 2026 Senedd election.

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Workforce

Welsh NHS Confederation | Conffederasiwn GIG Cymru

We represent the seven local health boards, three NHS trusts and two special health authorities in Wales. We are part of the The NHS Alliance and host NHS Wales Employers.

We support our members by acting as a driving force for positive change through strong representation, facilitating system leadership and our proactive policy, influencing, communications, events and engagement work.

Who we are and what we do

We aim to support our members in improving the health of the population and the planning and delivery of high-quality health care.

Why we do it

Our vision is for the NHS in Wales to provide a continually improving comprehensive health service that is available to all and based on clinical need not an individual’s ability to pay.

How we do it

We work with our Members to be a driving force for positive change through:

Providing administrative and infrastructure support to Executive Director Peer Groups as part of our NHS Leadership National Programme
Giving corporate and executive support to Chairs, Vice Chairs and Chief Executives Peer Group meetings
Building relationships and working in partnership with other organisations
Implementing a Memorandum of Understanding with the Arts Council of Wales
Engaging with Ministers, Members of the Senedd, key stakeholders and Government officials
Responding to consultations, inquiries and reviews and appearing at or supporting Members to attend Senedd Committees
Helping people understand the challenges facing the NHS in Wales and the need for change
Sharing good practice from across Wales and the rest of the world
Building relationships with the media and communication teams across the NHS in Wales
Bringing together organisations with an interest in improving the health and wellbeing of the population through our Health and Wellbeing Alliance
Organising and hosting events and meetings to bring key NHS Wales employees and stakeholders together
Representing our Members at conferences, external events and key meetings
Producing and publishing briefing documents and reports to help inform and shape debate
Working with colleagues in the wider NHS Confederation to share learning, good practice and policy thinking
Hosting NHS Wales Employers, who support the strategic agenda of the NHS in Wales from an NHS employers’ perspective.

Our members

We represent all the organisations making up the NHS in Wales.

Local health boards

There are seven local health boards in Wales that are responsible for planning and securing the delivery of primary, community and secondary care services alongside specialist services for their areas. These services include dentistry, optometry, pharmacy and mental health services. They are also responsible for delivering services in partnership, improving physical and mental health outcomes, promoting wellbeing and reducing health inequalities across their population.

Aneurin Bevan University Health Board
Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board
Cardiff and Vale University Health Board
Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board
Hywel Dda University Health Board
Powys Teaching Health Board
Swansea Bay University Health Board

NHS trusts

There are three NHS Trusts with an all-Wales focus.

Public Health Wales NHS Trust is the national public health agency that works to protect and improve health and wellbeing and reduce health inequalities for the people of Wales.
Velindre University NHS Trust provides specialist cancer service across South and Mid Wales through Velindre Cancer Centre and a national service through the Welsh Blood Service.
Welsh Ambulance Services University NHS Trust provides a range of out-of-hospital, emergency and non-emergency services.

Special health authorities

There are two special health authorities in Wales:

Digital Health and Care leads on digital platforms, systems and services and collecting and analysing health service data across Wales.
Health Education and Improvement Wales has a leading role in the education, training, development and shaping of the healthcare workforce across Wales.