The Welsh Labour Conference in Llandudno this past weekend saw First Minister Eluned Morgan MS lay out the party’s vision for a stronger, fairer, and healthier Wales.
A central tenet of her speech was the commitment to the Welsh NHS, a “proudest achievement” of Labour, with a renewed resolve to deliver better care, closer to communities. She highlighted the recruitment of thousands of new health professionals and the expansion of free pharmacy services for common ailments.
The First Minister dedicated a significant portion of her speech to the vital issue of women’s health, making it clear that this is a top priority for her government. She spoke movingly of Claire O’Shea, who was present at the last conference in Llandudno, and who sadly died in May. Claire spent her final months fighting not for herself, but for other women who had been let down by the system.
With evident emotion, the First Minister stated, “She was let down. And too many other women have been let down too.” As the first woman in the role of First Minister, she committed to “listening, learning, and acting,” vowing to create spaces where women are heard, believed, and treated with dignity.
The First Minister promised that the Welsh Government “will deliver the Women’s Health Plan.” Furthermore, in Claire O’Shea’s memory, she committed to ensuring that “women’s health hubs are up and running in every part of Wales before the next election.”
It’s interesting to see and hear the Welsh Government make the connection with the Women’s Health Plan and gynaecological cancer, though only focus on the earlier pre-diagnosis stage where and when securing a referral for suspected cancer is often problematic. We will see how these new women’s hubs (and the Women’s Health Plan) address the concerns of Claire’s campaign more generally, and will continue to keep you updated.
