The plan, created by the National Strategic Clinical Network for Women’s Health, part of NHS Wales Performance and Improvement, sets out how NHS organisations in Wales will close the gender health gap by providing better health services for women, ensuring they are listened to, and their health needs understood.
A new training programme in Wales to identify endometriosis at an earlier stage has led to a 43% increase in participating GPs’ knowledge of the condition and more confidence in discussing symptoms and treatment options with women.
With as many as one in ten women suffering from endometriosis in Wales, the programme is one of the women’s health initiatives that Health Education and Improvement Wales (HEIW) provides for GPs, to improve women’s experience of healthcare in Wales, in line with the aims of The Plan.
“Women have told us that they feel they are not heard, and their symptoms are ignored. This training ensures women’s voices are central to their healthcare experience, and it helps GPs support their patients more effectively” said Minister for Mental Health and Wellbeing Sarah Murphy.
Endometriosis is one of eight priority areas for improving healthcare for women and girls in the Women’s Health Plan, which was published in December last year. Informed by engagement with women, health experts, researchers and the women’s health community, the other priority areas comprise of menstrual health, contraception, preconception health, pelvic health, menopause, violence against women and ageing well.
This training forms one of over 60 actions set out within the Women’s Health Plan for achievement within the next 10 years. since the Plan launched actions are already being achieved or underway, including new women's health hubs to open nationwide by March 2026, Wales' first women's health research centre, £750,000 for research projects, and the development of educational resources for school nurses.
Speaking about the Women’s Health hubs Dr. Helen Munro, clinical lead for Women’s Health in Wales said “Meeting women’s needs across their life course will be at the heart of the new women’s health hubs.
This is where healthcare professionals will join up with existing services to provide women’s health services within our communities. The needs of our local populations, together with existing resources and infrastructure will guide the design and delivery of the hubs.”