New Postgraduate Diploma in Healthcare Planning Launched

Healthcare professionals tasked with planning the future direction of the NHS in Wales will receive academic training at Cardiff University.

The Postgraduate Diploma in Healthcare Planning will be delivered by academics from Cardiff Business School, the School of Mathematics and the School of Medicine. The 18-month-programme of learning will involve professionals from across Wales – from the seven health boards and three NHS trusts.

Funded by Welsh Government and NHS Wales, the course is part of a wider initiative to develop employees already working in healthcare planning in Wales. A total of 125 people will be trained over five years.

NHS Wales has a different approach from England to its healthcare service, one based on planning rather than commissioning. Planners develop strategic and operational plans which help their organisations make the best use of resources. They bring together clinicians and other professionals to guide and design changes to the way in which services are delivered to patients, some of which may involve new capital investments.

During the course, participants will learn about a variety of topics which will help them to plan and create effective healthcare services such as data analytics, managing innovation and leading change. Education will be delivered through a variety of methods including applied project work and online learning.

Professor Rachel Ashworth, Dean of Cardiff Business School, said: “We’re delighted to work with colleagues from across the University, Welsh Government and Welsh NHS to launch a ground-breaking Diploma in NHS Planning.

“This co-created programme has been designed to facilitate and support the vital work that NHS planners undertake in guiding the transformation of service delivery and reduction of health inequalities. The programme exemplifies the School's commitment to delivering education with a Public Value purpose that makes a difference to communities, society and the economy.”

Minister for Health and Social Services, Vaughan Gething said: “This new course will help train the new generation of planners, who will be vital to delivering A Healthier Wales, our long-term plan for health and social care.”

The course launched today (October 24) with a breakfast briefing at Cardiff Business School, about the challenges facing planners in NHS Wales.