A dedicated women's health research centre opening this April
will provide vital evidence to improve healthcare for women in
Wales.
The Women's Health Research Wales centre for excellence will
benefit from a £3m investment from Health and Care Research
Wales, supported by the Welsh Government, on top of £750,000
available for other dedicated women's health research projects.
The funding boost represents a significant commitment to address
health inequalities and shape future services for women, as set
out in the Women's Health Plan for Wales.
Minister for Mental Health and Wellbeing , with responsibility for
women's health, said: "This new research centre, the
first for women's health in Wales, will be crucial in helping us
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.”
The Women's Health Plan for Wales was published in December and
set out plans to launch a call for women's health research, with
a budget of £750,000 in April 2025 as well as encouraging Welsh
universities to bid for catalytic funding to create a Women's
Health Research Centre.
Funding of £3,013,936 has now been secured, as part of a wider
£49 million funding package announced by Health and Care Research
Wales, supporting 17 research centres across the country.
The Women's Health Network, part of the NHS Executive, will now
work with Health and Care Research Wales and the academic
community to improve the women specific health evidence available
in Wales.
National Clinical Lead for Women's Health Dr Helen Munro
said: "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. The Women's Health
Network, part of the NHS Wales Executive, will look forward to
working with our colleagues in Health Care Research Wales, and
together with key stakeholders, will work to develop both the
data and evidence that is specific to women. This crucial work
will be key in helping to shape the services which will improve
experiences and outcomes for women in Wales."
ENDS
Notes to editors
