On Monday 9th December, Wales launched its first Women’s Health Plan, mapping out the next ten years in improving healthcare services for women.

Created by the National Strategic Clinical Network for Women’s Health, part of the NHS Wales Executive, the plan aims to set out how NHS organisations in Wales can being to close the gender health gap by developing and providing tailored health services for women, ensuring they are listened to and their needs better understood.

This includes nearly 60 actions across eight priority areas to improve healthcare for women throughout their lifetime, following feedback from 4,000 women across Wales, and devotes £750,000 to researching health conditions. Women’s health hubs will also be set up in every part of Wales by 2026.

The plan includes a wide range of women’s health packages across eight key areas to be implemented over time. Some of these include menstrual health and access to special women’s health hubs to diagnose menstrual health conditions, better endometriosis training, pelvic health and incontinence support, as well as better education around Violence against Women and Girls (VAWGs).

First minister Eluned Morgan said: “The first Women’s Health Plan for Wales will ensure women receive better health services throughout the course of their lives.

“Women’s health is more than gynaecology and maternal health. 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 recognised. It will mean women’s symptoms, whatever their condition, will no longer be overlooked or dismissed.”

Minister for mental health and wellbeing Sarah Murphy said: “I’m proud to support the launch of this ambitious 10-year plan, which will drive real improvements in women’s health and outcomes.

“I am clear that this plan signals a step change in the way the NHS supports women — it will empower women to be heard when accessing healthcare.

“This is the engine for real change. It sets out how we will deliver the better services women in Wales want.”

Dee Montague-Coast, of Fair Treatment for Women of Wales (FTWW), said: “The Women’s Health Wales Coalition welcomes the launch of this NHS Wales Women’s Health Plan.

“The Coalition’s evidence showed how women and people registered female at birth experience disparities across a huge range of health issues and that, too often, women’s needs haven’t been considered.

“We look forward now to supporting the plan’s implementation, and to a Wales where our voices are heard, our health better understood, and health equity achieved.”