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Healthcare in Wales

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Information about the structure of healthcare in Wales, how to access services, and more resources for families with disabled children.

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The structure of healthcare in Wales

NHS Wales delivers services through seven local health boards responsible for planning, delivering and commissioning NHS services in their areas.

They are also responsible for improving physical and mental health outcomes, promoting wellbeing and reducing health inequalities across their population.

In addition, there are three NHS trusts, including the Welsh Ambulance Services NHS Trust and Public Health Wales.

Accessing services

If you have concerns about your child’s health or development, talk to your GP or health visitor in the first instance. 

Health concerns can be identified during pregnancy, at birth, and at any age following an assessment and diagnosis of a disability or condition. Referral for further treatments can come from a health visitor, community nurse, GP or a parent themselves via their local authority.

You may be referred on to a consultant or community paediatrician who can provide assessment, diagnosis and follow-up as appropriate and link you to wider professional support, which can include speech and language therapists and physiotherapists.

More information about healthcare in Wales

Information about healthcare in Wales and health and wellbeing services is available at http://www.wales.nhs.uk/

NHS 111 Wales can give you quick and easy access to health advice and care – for example, a GP, nurse, pharmacist or a Minor Injury Unit – where you will often be seen far more quickly than in Accident & Emergency (A&E) departments, where only patients with major illnesses or injuries can be treated.

The following NHS 111 Wales resources might be helpful: