The Welsh Government has published its first Women’s Health Plan, which is a strategic plan that will close the gender health gap and improve services for women in Wales. The plan was developed by the National Strategic Clinical Network for Women’s Health, part of NHS Wales Executive, as a comprehensive approach to bettering health services available to women, listening to their voices, and understanding and meeting specific health needs.
The strategy includes key spending like a £750,000 promise to study conditions among women, with particular focus areas being under-researched conditions. The Welsh government also promises to establish women’s health hubs in all parts of Wales by 2026. Such hubs will offer a specifically dedicated service to meet women’s health needs, which makes this service more accessible and integrative throughout Wales.
In her speech, First Minister Eluned Morgan said that the plan was important to giving women better health and well-being throughout their lives. She said, “The first Women’s Health Plan for Wales will ensure women receive better health services throughout the course of their lives. I want this plan to be the start of better care for women – I want women’s voices to be heard and their experiences to be recognized.” Morgan’s remarks reflect commitment to improvement of gender equality in health services and support for women’s health at all stages of life.
National Clinical Lead for Women’s Health, Dr Helen Munro, hoped the plan would make people more aware that women’s health had to have a more essential priority. “As a clinician, I am acutely aware that services for women in Wales often fall short of what women require, need and deserve.” Through the implementation of the plan, we hope to reverse this.”
The Women’s Health Plan forms part of a broader approach toward tackling ongoing health disparities and improving the delivery of health care for women in Wales. The Welsh Government intends to make women’s health a national priority through emphasis on research, accessibility, and targeted health services.
