Aneurin Bevan University Health Board

Aneurin Bevan University Health Board (ABUHB)

Aneurin Bevan University Health Board is the operational arm of NHS Wales responsible for delivering healthcare services to the residents of Gwent. Named after the founder of the NHS, the health board is one of the largest in Wales, providing a comprehensive "cradle-to-grave" service that includes primary care, hospital treatment, and mental health services.

Who They Are

Aneurin Bevan University Health Board serves a population of approximately 600,000 people. It is known for its Clinical Futures Strategy, a long-term plan aimed at moving care closer to home and centralising specialist emergency services.

In February 2026, the Health Board officially launched its new Values and Behaviours Framework alongside its "Gwent 2035" 10-year strategy. The leadership is currently focused on "doing what’s right, together," emphasising a shift toward a culture of kindness and clinical integrity after a period of intense financial scrutiny. They are recognised for their innovation in Digital Health, maintaining one of the highest information governance scores in Wales.

They pride themselves on their University Status, collaborating with the University of South Wales and Cardiff University to lead medical research and provide high-level training for the next generation of Welsh doctors and nurses.

What We Do

Acute & Emergency Care

Operating a network of hospitals with a centralised specialist model:

• The Grange University Hospital (Cwmbran): The specialist centre for all 999 emergencies and complex surgeries in the region.
• Local General Hospitals: Royal Gwent Hospital (Newport) and Nevill Hall Hospital (Abergavenny), which now focus on routine surgeries, diagnostics, and minor injury units.

Community & Primary Care

Managing over 70 GP practices and a network of community hospitals, including St Woolos (Newport), Chepstow, and County Hospital (Pontypool). They focus on "Home First" initiatives to ensure patients are discharged safely back to their communities.

Mental Health & Learning Disabilities

Providing dedicated inpatient and community mental health services across sites like Ysbyty’r tri Chwm (Ebbw Vale) and the Talygarn Unit (Pontypool).

Specialist Public Health

Delivering regional vaccination programs, respiratory services (RSV), and the Keeping Well Service, which focuses on preventative health, nutrition, and mental wellbeing for the Gwent population.

Approach & Values (New 2026 Framework)

Aneurin Bevan University Health Board focuses on Kindness, Integrity, and Respect.

They prioritise Compassionate Leadership, encouraging staff to "listen attentively and respond with empathy." Their approach is designed to be integrated; following the "Clinical Futures" model, they aim to treat 80% of healthcare needs within community settings, keeping the Grange University Hospital strictly for the most critically ill.

A strong emphasis is placed on "Gwent 2035," a strategy that prioritises preventative care and workforce wellbeing to ensure the health board remains sustainable and efficient for the next decade.

Industry Role

ABUHB acts as a pioneer for the "Specialist and Critical Care" model in Wales.

As a University Health Board, the organisation plays a vital role in clinical trials and workforce development within the UK. They act as a strategic partner for the Welsh Government, piloting new healthcare delivery models that seek to balance high-quality specialist care with accessible community services.

They offer a clinically-advanced and strategy-driven public health solution, making them the central pillar of the healthcare infrastructure in South East Wales.