Building a healthier future for women in Wales

Published 26/09/2025

Health Education and Improvement Wales (HEIW) is proud to be supporting a national programme facilitating the rollout of new Women’s Health Hubs across Wales. This initiative aims to close health gaps, improve access to high-quality care and help more women enjoy longer, healthier lives. 

Women have diverse health needs and with age the health issues can worsen. In Wales, endometriosis affects one in ten women and across the UK, half of all women over the age of 50 will break a bone because of osteoporosis. Conditions such as these impact quality of life significantly, both physically and mentally. 

At present, Wales has some specialist women’s health services, but more are needed to make sure all women have access to high-quality care, regardless of their location. 

To help improve the availability of services, HEIW is working in close partnership with Welsh Government, NHS Wales health boards, trusts and a number of women’s health charities, to support the establishment of a Women’s Hub in every health board by spring 2026.  

The new Women’s Health Hubs are set to transform care by providing a ‘one-stop-shop’ for specialist services. These virtual / physical centres will bring together expert care for conditions such as endometriosis, pelvic pain, menopause, and complex contraception, all in one place. 

This integrated approach will significantly improve the patient journey. For women, it means faster diagnosis, reduced waiting lists, and fewer appointments at different locations. By offering holistic and collaborative care, the hubs will ensure patients receive the right support more quickly and conveniently than ever before. 

As the programme progresses, HEIW aims to develop: 

1. A clearer future 

HEIW is creating a clear picture of the specialist women’s health workforce across Wales. This will show where staff are working in primary and secondary care, highlight any gaps, and identify where training or support is needed. The information will help shape women’s health hubs so they are better designed to meet both local and national needs. This will lead to better care for patients and a more skilled and supported workforce. 

2. An empowered workforce 

HEIW is developing a single, easy-to-access national Women's Health education hub on Y Ty Dysgu. This will give healthcare professionals the skills and confidence to provide better care for women across Wales.  

Oliver Meller who is leading on the project in HEIW, said: 

“This education programme is a key part of HEIW’s commitment to improve care for women and girls in Wales. By creating a single, 'Once for Wales' suite of evidence-based training, we’re helping our staff build the skills and confidence they need to deliver fair, high-quality care. 

This work will help close gaps in women’s healthcare by making clinical practice more consistent and reducing unconscious bias. It encourages more compassionate and culturally sensitive care, such as the recognition that 'severe period pain is not normal', to fundamentally improve the health outcomes and experiences of women throughout Wales.“ 

The programme is still in its early stages, but as it develops, HEIW will share real stories from those involved to show the progress being made and the difference this work is having. 

To find out more about the plan please visit The Women's Health Plan for Wales Website, or to get involved please contact the National Programmes Team.