Welsh NHS Confederation
The only national membership body representing all the organisations making up the NHS in Wales.
We represent the seven local health boards; three NHS trusts; Health Education and Improvement Wales; and Digital Health and Care 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.
Take a look at how we made an impact on behalf of our members for 2023/24.
Our members
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.
- Public Health Wales NHS Trust
- Welsh Ambulance Services University NHS Trust
- Velindre University NHS Trust
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.
- Digital Health and Care Wales
- Health Education and Improvement Wales
Political engagement
View our political briefings, explainer articles and system-wide responses to Senedd Committee inquiries and Welsh Government consultations, developed in partnership with our members and submitted on their behalf.
2026 Senedd election
- Senedd Election 2026: Manifesto calls by members of the Welsh NHS Confederation Health and Wellbeing Alliance
- Rethink needed on healthcare capital strategy to unlock productivity gains and future-proof NHS
- One year to go: NHS leaders' calls published for 2026 Senedd election
- Building the health and wellbeing of the nation: the Welsh NHS Confederation's calls for the 2026 Senedd election
- Blwyddyn i fynd: Galwadau arweinwyr y GIG wedi'u cyhoeddi ar gyfer etholiad y Senedd 2026
- Adeiladu iechyd a llesiant y genedl: Galwadau Conffederasiwn GIG Cymru ar gyfer etholiad y Senedd 2026
- Next Welsh Government must think long term to make health and social care sustainable
- Building the health and wellbeing of the nation
- Adeiladu iechyd a lleisiant y genedl
Explainers
In the run up to the 2026 Senedd election, we'll be publishing a series of explainer articles. These will stick to the facts on the health and care system in Wales, covering a wide range of topics including how the NHS is funded, the structure of the NHS in Wales, the role of social care, the wider determinants of health, how primary care works and service change.
- How are health and social care integrated in Wales?
- What does the NHS workforce look like in Wales?
- What is urgent and emergency care?
- What is the role of NHS charities in Wales?
- What is population health?
- What is public health?
- How is primary care provided in Wales?
- How is primary care structured in Wales?
- How are digital and data services delivered in the NHS in Wales?
- What are the planning and escalation frameworks in the NHS in Wales?
- How is the NHS in Wales funded?
- How is the NHS structured in Wales?
Get in touch
Phone
02920 349 850
Our address
Tŷ Glan-yr-Afon
21 Cowbridge Road East
Cardiff
CF11 9AD
Media enquiries
07483 091 525
Follow us on social
- LinkedIn: Welsh NHS Confederation
- Bluesky: @welshnhsconfed.bsky.social