The Women’s Health Plan, from the National Strategic Clinical Network for Women’s Health, has been launched, with a 10-year vision to improve healthcare services for women.
The plan includes nearly 60 actions across eight priority areas, based on feedback from around 4000 women across Wales. A budget of £750,000 will be used for research on women’s health conditions, and for health hubs to be set up in every part of Wales by 2026.
‘Women’s health is more than gynaecology and maternal health,’ said First Minister Eluned Morgan. ‘I want women’s voices to be heard and their experiences to be recognised. It will mean women’s symptoms, whatever their condition, will no longer be overlooked or dismissed.’
The plan’s eight priority actions include:
- Menstrual health
- Endometriosis and adenomyosis
- Contraception and abortion care
- Preconception health
- Pelvic health and incontinence
- Menopause
- Violence against women and girls
- Ageing well and long-term conditions
Dr Helen Munro said it is a ‘great privilege to be appointed as the first clinical lead for women’s health in Wales’:
‘My hope is that the plan will help to raise awareness that women’s health must be a 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 true collaboration across healthcare systems, by working with the Welsh Government, but most importantly through working together with women we can ensure better health of the 51 per cent.’
Keep an eye out for a special feature on women’s health in the March/April issue of Community Practitioner.
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