Wales to launch first Women's Health Research Centre in April

As part of Women’s Health Plan for Wales, £750,000 will be spent on research for women’s health conditions

A dedicated Women’s Health Research Centre is set to open in Wales this April, as part of the Welsh government’s plan to close the gender health gap.

The centre, a first-of-its-kind in Wales, has received a £3 million investment from Health and Care Research Wales. This is on top of £750,000 available for other dedicated women’s health research projects.

The first Women’s Health Plan for Wales, published in December 2023, outlined a commitment to launching a call for women’s health research with a budget of £750,000 in April 2025 and encouraged Welsh universities to bid for catalytic funding to create a Women’s Health Research Centre.

Now, funding of £3,013,936 has been secured, as part of a wider £49 million funding package announced by Health and Care Research Wales to support 17 research centres across the country.

Sarah Murphy, minister for mental health and wellbeing, with responsibility for women’s health, emphasised the importance of creating the new research centre, stating that it will helping them to “better understand women's experiences, develop more effective treatments, and ensure our health services truly meet women's needs at every stage of their lives.”

“I hope the centre will attract and retain leading researchers in the field and help ensure Welsh women's experiences and needs drive our women’s health plan for Wales,” she said.

The Women’s Health Network, part of the NHS Wales Executive, will collaborate with Health and Care Research Wales and the academic community to develop the data and evidence that is specific to women.

Dr Helen Munro, national clinical lead for women’s health, welcomed the investment, stating: “This is an encouraging step towards achieving a more equal healthcare system for women in Wales and represents a real investment in our future health.”

Research indicates that while women live longer than men, they spend more years living with disabilities, wait longer for pain relief, and often have their symptoms dismissed.

The Women’s Health Plan for Wales set out a 10-year vision to improve healthcare services for women.

Developedby the National Strategic Clinical Network for Women’s Health, the plan details 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 are understood.

Comprising nearly 60 actions across eight priority areas, the plan aims to enhance women's healthcare throughout their lifetime.

As part of this initiative, women's health hubs will also be established across Wales by 2026.

Additionally, the plan includes a commitment to ‘Make Every Contact Count,’ encouraging healthcare professionals to discuss menstrual health and menopause with women during routine appointments.

The plan, which will be added to over time, covers:

• Menstrual Health
• Endometriosis and Adenomyosis
• Contraception, Post-Natal Contraception and Abortion Care
• Preconception Health
• Pelvic Health and Incontinence
• Menopause
• Violence against Women and Girls
• Ageing Well and Long-Term Conditions Across the Life Course.

The NHS Executive will oversee the governance and implementation of the plan, with annual reports submitted to the Welsh Government on behalf of NHS Wales.