Wales has launched its first Women’s Health Plan, which sets out a 10-year vision to to improve healthcare services for women. The Plan can be viewed here.
Claire O’Shea of Claire’s Campaign said: “The publication of the Women’s Health Plan marks a significant step toward reducing health inequalities for women and we welcome the focus on women’s voices being central to the future of their healthcare. However, while we look forward to working with the Women’s Health Network to deliver change in this area, women with a gynaecological cancer experience cannot use the plan to hold the Welsh Government and the NHS to account for implementing the majority of the recommendations within the Senedd Health Committee’s Unheard report, published last year.
“We were initially led to believe that the Women’s Health Plan would be the main driver of improvements in gynaecological cancer care. Gynaecological cancers are notably absent from the plan, risking missed opportunities to address the challenges faced by women with these devastating diagnoses. While we acknowledge the commitments made to improving gynaecological cancer – detailed in last week’s written statement – through the Cancer Recovery Programme, we have concerns that the scale of change needed will not be achieved through its two-year lifetime.
“Women with a gynaecological cancer are having to continually apply pressure on the Welsh Government and NHS Wales to ensure that the much-needed improvements happen. We fear action and accountability getting lost in the gaps between plans and the bodies responsible for delivery.
“We urge the establishment of task and finish groups, with diverse representation of women with lived experiences, to be formed rapidly so women can participate in the design and delivery of their healthcare. To close the health gaps effectively, conditions like gynaecological cancers must receive the same focused attention as other priorities in the Women’s Health Plan.
“As a living document, the Women’s Health Plan must evolve to include gynaecological cancers and guarantee women are well-informed and supported throughout their cancer journey. Accountability should lie with the NHS – not the patients themselves. Women deserve action, not just promises, and the system must ensure their needs are met with urgency and care.”
