A dedicated women's health research centre is set to open this April, providing vital evidence to improve healthcare for women in Wales.
The Women's Health Research Wales centre for excellence will benefit from a substantial £3 million investment from Health and Care Research Wales, supported by the Welsh Government. This funding is in addition to the £750,000 allocated for other dedicated women’s health research projects.
This significant funding boost underscores a strong commitment to addressing health inequalities and shaping future services for women, as outlined in the Women’s Health Plan for Wales2. Published in December, the plan includes a call for women’s health research with a budget of £750,000 starting in April 2025. It also encourages Welsh universities to bid for catalytic funding to establish a Women’s Health Research Centre.
Sarah Murphy, Welsh Minister for Mental Health and Wellbeing, 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 secured funding of £3,013,936 is part of a broader £49 million funding package announced by Health and Care Research Wales, which supports 17 research centres across the country. This initiative aims to enhance the quality and scope of women's health research, ensuring that healthcare services are better tailored to meet the specific needs of women in Wales.
The Women’s Health Network, part of the NHS Executive, will collaborate with Health and Care Research Wales and the academic community to improve the availability of women-specific health evidence in Wales3. This partnership is expected to drive significant advancements in understanding women's health issues and developing more effective treatments.
National Clinical Lead for Women’s Health, Dr Helen Munro, also commented:
“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.”
The establishment of the Women's Health Research Wales centre marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing efforts to close the gender health gap and improve healthcare outcomes for women across Wales.
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