{"id":1753,"date":"2026-02-24T08:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-02-24T08:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/phwwhocc.co.uk\/whiasu\/?page_id=1753"},"modified":"2026-07-06T14:49:59","modified_gmt":"2026-07-06T14:49:59","slug":"our-work","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/phwwhocc.co.uk\/whiasu\/our-work\/","title":{"rendered":"Health Impact Assessment (HIA) regulations"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>The Health Impact Assessment (HIA) Regulations in Wales set out the legal requirements laid by Welsh Government for assessing how proposed strategic decisions may impact on people\u2019s health and well-being. They are designed to ensure that decision-making across the public sector in Wales takes account of potential health impacts \u2013 both positive and unintended negative \u2013 before action is taken and inform decision making. It is also intended to ensure that health inequalities are considered as part of these decisions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Regulations are being introduced as part of the Public Health (Wales) Act 2017, which sets out the requirement for statutory HIAs by public bodies in Wales in specific circumstances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>These Regulations apply only to public bodies in Wales.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Further information on the Regulations, can be found on Welsh Government\u2019s website:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.legislation.gov.uk\/wsi\/2025\/1215\/made\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">HIA regulations consultation outcome<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.wales\/written-statement-health-impact-assessment-wales-regulations-2025\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Public Health Wales, HIA (Wales) Regulations 2025, draft statutory instrument<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/laiddocuments.senedd.wales\/sub-ld17413-em-en.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Explanatory Memorandum to The HIA (Wales) Regulations 2025<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>If you have a specific query on the Regulations please contact Welsh Government: <a href=\"mailto:healthimpactassessment@gov.wales\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">healthimpactassessment@gov.wales<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Welsh Government&#039;s Health Impact Assessment Regulations explained\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/DwDQVIQoKPo?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:28px\"><strong>How can Public Health Wales support you?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Public Health Wales and WHIASU provides a range of support which includes a HIA guide as well as tools, training and capacity-building support to help public bodies understand the purpose of and apply HIA.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We do not have a regulatory, approval, or enforcement role under the Regulations. Responsibility for complying with the Regulations rests with the relevant public bodies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Available support:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>General guidance<\/strong> on the HIA process, methods, and good practice<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Training sessions<\/strong> on HIA<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Access to written tools, templates, and resources<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Guidance on scoping and approach<\/strong> to a HIA<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Signposting<\/strong> to relevant evidence, data sources, and case studies<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Any requests for support are subject to capacity. Support provided by Public Health Wales and WHIASU is for guidance only and does not constitute legal advice or a definitive interpretation of the law. Organisations should refer to the Regulations in full and seek independent advice where appropriate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Further information can be found on our website: <a href=\"https:\/\/phwwhocc.co.uk\/whiasu\/\">https:\/\/phwwhocc.co.uk\/whiasu\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Public Health Wales and WHIASU cannot:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Carry out or contribute to HIAs on behalf of other public bodies.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Provide formal or informal approval or sign-off of HIAs to provide assurance of compliance with the Regulations<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Provide legal advice or interpret legislation on behalf of public bodies<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Take any responsibility for decisions made by public bodies with regards to the HIA Regulations.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Responsibility of public bodies subject to the Regulations:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Ensuring compliance with the Regulations<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Determining when and how to undertake a HIA in specific circumstances<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The quality and content of the HIA<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Seeking independent legal advice where required.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>The Wales Health Impact Assessment Support Unit (WHIASU) has published two practical guides to assist:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/phwwhocc.co.uk\/resources\/health-impact-assessment-wales-regulations-2025-a-guide-for-public-bodies-in-wales\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">public bodies in undertaking statutory Health Impact Assessments (HIAs) in Wales<\/a>, and<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/phwwhocc.co.uk\/resources\/health-impact-assessment-hia-a-practical-guide-for-voluntary-best-practice-in-wales\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">those who wish to carry out voluntary HIAs and highlight best practice to support and complement the statutory guide<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>These guides outline a structured, evidence-based process designed to support consistent and effective HIA practice. Each guide includes templates, checklists, and links to additional resources to facilitate the HIA process.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/phwwhocc.co.uk\/resources\/health-impact-assessment-wales-regulations-2025-a-guide-for-public-bodies-in-wales\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Guide for Public Bodies<\/a> provides step-by-step guidance for public bodies required to carry out HIAs under the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.legislation.gov.uk\/wsi\/2025\/1215\/made\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">HIA regulations in Wales<\/a>. Alongside the guide, an animation has also been developed to outline the key requirements for public bodies.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/phwwhocc.co.uk\/resources\/health-impact-assessment-hia-a-practical-guide-for-voluntary-best-practice-in-wales\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Voluntary Guide<\/a> replaces the previous HIA: A Practical Guide produced by WHIASU in 2012 and outlines best-practice steps for undertaking voluntary HIAs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/phwwhocc.co.uk\/resources\/health-impact-assessment-hia-screening-record-sheet\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">HIA screening record sheet<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/phwwhocc.co.uk\/resources\/health-impact-assessment-hia-scoping-template\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">HIA scoping template<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/phwwhocc.co.uk\/resources\/health-impact-assessment-hia-participatory-workshop-recording-template\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">HIA workshop recording template<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/phwwhocc.co.uk\/resources\/health-impact-assessment-hia-example-participatory-workshop-agenda\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">HIA workshop agenda template<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/phwwhocc.co.uk\/resources\/health-impact-assessment-hia-population-groups-and-wider-determinants-of-health-and-well-being\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Population and wider determinants of health resources<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>All of the above resources can be used alongside our updated e Learning course, \u2018The Health Impact Assessment (HIA) Process: Voluntary HIAs and Best Practice\u2019, to support the completion of high-quality and impactful HIAs. This revised course introduces learners to HIA in Wales, including the types, timing and principles of HIA, the health and well-being aspects, the HIA process and associated tools, as well as further reading and case study examples. It is designed to complement the Voluntary HIA Guide. An additional e Learning course to support the Guide for Public Bodies will be launched in autumn 2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To access the e-learning course:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>If you have a Learning@Wales account already: Log in to the <a href=\"https:\/\/learning.nhs.wales\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Learning@Wales site<\/a> and find the HIA and the Process course via the \u2018NHS\u2019 tab and by clicking on the \u2018Public Health Wales WHIASU\u2019 page. Please contact <a href=\"mailto:WHIASU.PublicHealthWales@wales.nhs.uk\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">WHIASU.PublicHealthWales@wales.nhs.uk<\/a> and we will email you to provide access.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>If you do not have a Learning@Wales account: please contact <a href=\"mailto:WHIASU.PublicHealthWales@wales.nhs.uk\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">WHIASU.PublicHealthWales@wales.nhs.uk<\/a> to request an account and we will email you to provide access.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"data-grid\"><div class=\"data-grid__item\"><div class=\"data-grid__item-content\"><a href=\"https:\/\/phwwhocc.co.uk\/resources\/?filter-keywords=&amp;filter-year=&amp;filter-team=WHIASU\"><div class=\"data-grid__item-image data-grid__item-image-wide\" role=\"img\" aria-label=\"\" style=\"background-image:url(https:\/\/phwwhocc.co.uk\/whiasu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/04\/shutterstock_1301325586-stacked-magazines-scaled.jpg)\"><\/div><\/a><h2><a href=\"https:\/\/phwwhocc.co.uk\/resources\/?filter-keywords=&amp;filter-year=&amp;filter-team=WHIASU\">Publications<\/a><\/div><\/div><div class=\"data-grid__item\"><div class=\"data-grid__item-content\"><a href=\"https:\/\/phwwhocc.co.uk\/whiasu\/hia-reports\/\"><div class=\"data-grid__item-image data-grid__item-image-wide\" role=\"img\" aria-label=\"\" style=\"background-image:url(https:\/\/phwwhocc.co.uk\/whiasu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/04\/HIA-Brecon-Beacons.jpg)\"><\/div><\/a><h2><a href=\"https:\/\/phwwhocc.co.uk\/whiasu\/hia-reports\/\">HIA Reports<\/a><\/div><\/div><div class=\"data-grid__item\"><div class=\"data-grid__item-content\"><a href=\"https:\/\/phwwhocc.co.uk\/whiasu\/training\/\"><div class=\"data-grid__item-image data-grid__item-image-wide\" role=\"img\" aria-label=\"\" style=\"background-image:url(https:\/\/phwwhocc.co.uk\/whiasu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/03\/4.png)\"><\/div><\/a><h2><a href=\"https:\/\/phwwhocc.co.uk\/whiasu\/training\/\">Training and Network<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div style=\"height:40px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Health Impact Assessment (HIA) Regulations in Wales set out the legal requirements laid by Welsh Government for assessing how proposed strategic decisions may impact on people\u2019s health and well-being. They are designed to ensure that decision-making across the public sector in Wales takes account of potential health impacts \u2013 both positive and unintended negative [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":123,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_coblocks_attr":"","_coblocks_dimensions":"","_coblocks_responsive_height":"","_coblocks_accordion_ie_support":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-1753","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v19.2 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Health Impact Assessment (HIA) regulations - Wales Health Impact Assessment Support Unit<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/phwwhocc.co.uk\/whiasu\/our-work\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Health Impact Assessment (HIA) regulations - Wales Health Impact Assessment Support Unit\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"The Health Impact Assessment (HIA) Regulations in Wales set out the legal requirements laid by Welsh Government for assessing how proposed strategic decisions may impact on people\u2019s health and well-being. 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They are designed to ensure that decision-making across the public sector in Wales takes account of potential health impacts \u2013 both positive and unintended negative [&hellip;]","og_url":"https:\/\/phwwhocc.co.uk\/whiasu\/our-work\/","og_site_name":"Wales Health Impact Assessment Support Unit","article_modified_time":"2026-07-06T14:49:59+00:00","author":"cowshed","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Est. reading time":"4 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/phwwhocc.co.uk\/whiasu\/#website","url":"https:\/\/phwwhocc.co.uk\/whiasu\/","name":"Wales Health Impact Assessment Support Unit","description":"","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/phwwhocc.co.uk\/whiasu\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":"required name=search_term_string"}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/phwwhocc.co.uk\/whiasu\/our-work\/#webpage","url":"https:\/\/phwwhocc.co.uk\/whiasu\/our-work\/","name":"Health Impact Assessment (HIA) regulations - Wales Health Impact Assessment Support Unit","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/phwwhocc.co.uk\/whiasu\/#website"},"datePublished":"2026-02-24T08:00:00+00:00","dateModified":"2026-07-06T14:49:59+00:00","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/phwwhocc.co.uk\/whiasu\/our-work\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/phwwhocc.co.uk\/whiasu\/our-work\/"]}]},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/phwwhocc.co.uk\/whiasu\/our-work\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/phwwhocc.co.uk\/whiasu\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Health Impact Assessment (HIA) regulations"}]}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/phwwhocc.co.uk\/whiasu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1753","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/phwwhocc.co.uk\/whiasu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/phwwhocc.co.uk\/whiasu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/phwwhocc.co.uk\/whiasu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/123"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/phwwhocc.co.uk\/whiasu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1753"}],"version-history":[{"count":79,"href":"https:\/\/phwwhocc.co.uk\/whiasu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1753\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6373,"href":"https:\/\/phwwhocc.co.uk\/whiasu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1753\/revisions\/6373"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/phwwhocc.co.uk\/whiasu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1753"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}