We’ve published our Operational Plan for 2026-2027
Find out about our priorities and actions for 2026-2027
Healthcare Inspectorate Wales (HIW) has today published its Operational Plan for 2026–2027, setting out the priorities and actions we will take over the coming year to help ensure people in Wales receive safe, high‑quality healthcare.
The plan is the first to be shaped by our new Strategy for 2026–2030. It builds on strong foundations and focuses on what matters most to people and communities, providing a clear and practical route for delivering the objectives set out in the Strategy.
The Operational Plan outlines how HIW will continue to listen to people’s experiences, inspect and regulate services, and work with partners to support meaningful and lasting improvement. It has been informed by risks, challenges and opportunities across the healthcare system, with a clear focus on driving improvement and strengthening the quality and safety of care.
Priorities for 2026–2027
Putting People First
We will strengthen how people’s experiences shape its work by deepening its understanding of what matters to individuals and communities. This includes focusing on the greatest risks people face when accessing care, improving how intelligence is gathered and used, refining inspection and reporting approaches, and challenging inequalities so that all voices are heard.
Learning and Working Together
Recognising that improvement depends on strong partnerships, we will continue to build relationships across the healthcare system. By sharing intelligence, collaborating on national issues and strengthening follow‑up activity, we will support shared understanding of risks and help ensure findings lead to timely improvements.
Investing in Our People
The plan highlights the importance of staff capability and wellbeing. We will continue to embed a culture of reflection and continuous development, investing in digital tools, training, clear development pathways and cross‑team learning. We will also continue to build an inclusive workplace, guided by HIW’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion strategy.
Taking Action That Matters
We will take clear, proportionate and transparent action to improve the quality and safety of healthcare in Wales. This includes strengthening inspection and regulatory approaches, improving the clarity of recommendations, communicating enforcement decisions effectively, and enhancing how concerns, including whistleblowing, are listened to and addressed.
We will continue to take a balanced, risk‑based approach to inspection and assurance, ensuring services are inspected at the right time. HIW will also continue to meet its statutory responsibilities, including those under the Mental Health Act, the Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations (IR(ME)R), and independent healthcare regulations.
Alun Jones, Chief Executive of Healthcare Inspectorate Wales, said:
“This Operational Plan is the first to be shaped by our new Strategy for 2026–2030 and focuses on what matters most to people and communities. Across all our priorities, our focus remains on being a trusted, independent voice that supports improvement across the healthcare system. By working together with our staff, partners and stakeholders, we will help shape a safer, more effective and more compassionate healthcare system for Wales.”