Women's health hubs for 'every part of Wales'

Women's health hubs will be set up in every part of Wales by 2026 in an effort to help close the gender health gap.

It is part of the first women's health plan for Wales, published years after similar strategies were launched in England and Scotland.

The 10-year plan includes eight priority areas to improve healthcare for women, as well as £750,000 for research.

Doctors will also be expected to routinely ask women about menstrual health and menopause during appointments.

The charity Fair Treatment for the Women of Wales said disparities in care had been raised by "countless women".

First Minister Eluned Morgan said "women's symptoms, whatever their condition, will no longer be overlooked or dismissed".

Research shows women live longer than men, however they live fewer years free from disability, will wait longer for pain relief and many have said symptoms are "fobbed off".

The plan highlighted a need for greater research, data, innovation and involvement of women who have traditionally been excluded.

It also called for sustainable funding to deliver the proposals, citing the reduced funding to GP practices leading to variability in provision.

Dr Helen Munro, national clinical lead for women's health, said: "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."

Universities will also be encouraged to bid for funding to establish a women's health research centre.

The document claimed Wales does not have "the fragmentation and splintering of women's healthcare that exists in other parts of the UK, which has been so damaging for women" - though that claim is not evidenced.

Specialist women's health hubs will be created in each health board area to help diagnose menstrual health conditions. A review of the current workforce's ability to deliver this and timely diagnosis will also be carried out by March 2026.

Research will also be increased, as well as further educational materials for everyone - including boys and men.

Emma McFarland, who is among the one in three women who suffer from heavy periods, said they have had a huge impact on her life, yet tests have not discovered a cause.

The 38-year-old from Rhoose in the Vale of Glamorgan said: "I'm lucky that my doctor in recent years has taken a big interest in finding out what's wrong and has sent me for so many tests."

But she said they were both "jumping through hoops" for a specialist to see her, as waiting lists are so long the referrals were being declined.

She added that having an understanding boss was a huge help as she needs to change her sanitary wear so often, but she will routinely wear several layers of protection as it is not always feasible to leave meetings.

Further training will be provided about endometriosis as a chronic condition.

The condition affects 10% of women, but women wait 10 years on average for a diagnosis, so the true figure is likely to be higher.

The plan sets out a goal to fund a tertiary, or specialist service in Wales. Currently only two health boards provide that.

Work will also be done to ascertain the demand and capacity in each health board.

Emily Griffiths, 26, from Carmarthenshire, has funded her own care because the shortage of NHS specialists in Wales meant very long waits.

"It can't be down to the patient to continuously research their own healthcare needs, fund their own health care privately or even travel to other parts of the UK to receive specialist care.

"Women in Wales have been let down for many years now, through dismissal and the lack of specialist centres, there needs to be effective treatments or surgical options that don't require waiting years for."