Health

‘Medical misogyny failing women in rural Wales’

Published

6 months ago

September 19, 2025

A SENEDD Member warned a woman’s postcode too often dictates whether she receives timely care in Wales as he shared his daughter’s own 13-year ordeal.

Plaid Cymru’s Cefin Campbell expressed concerns about systemic failings in women’s healthcare and a “unique patchwork of barriers” facing women in rural Wales.

He shared the story of his daughter’s struggle with chronic debilitating pain after her symptoms were repeatedly dismissed as normal period pains by doctors.

Leading a powerful debate, Mr Campbell told the Senedd his daughter became emotionally distressed on one occasion during an appointment with her GP in Carmarthenshire.

He said: “Rather than investigating further what might be the underlying reason for the excruciating pain she was suffering, she was offered mental health support and a few paracetamols. Needless to say, the GP was a male doctor.”

Mr Campbell said his daughter’s determination resulted in her eventually being diagnosed with adenomyosis, a painful gynaecological condition, at a west Wales hospital.

“But her story doesn’t stop there,” he told the Senedd, with his daughter discovering she had been misdiagnosed – and actually had stage-four endometriosis – after moving to Cardiff.

“As a parent, I was so angry and disappointed that she’d been let down and had suffered so much needless pain for so long. Now, things have to change.”

Mr Campbell warned women’s health has been systematically deprioritised due to a lack of clinical understanding, political will, representation and research.

The Mid and West Wales politician said: “The outcome is all too familiar: women waiting years for diagnoses, travelling long distances for treatment or being silenced entirely.”

Mr Campbell said the Welsh Government’s new ten-year women’s health plan offers few concrete measures and fails to address specific challenges women face in rural Wales.

He warned the closure of surgeries and A&E departments, coupled with poor transport and digital infrastructure, risks dismantling access to care, ultimately undermining the plan.

He told the chamber or Siambr: “Cutting rural services, from GP surgeries to minor injuries units, doesn’t help women’s health at all. Unfortunately, in Wales, a postcode, for a woman, will often dictate whether she receives timely care or has to suffer in silence.”

His colleague Mabon ap Gwynfor, Plaid Cymru’s shadow health secretary, said far too many women in rural Wales are disappointed by the health system.

However, Sarah Murphy stressed women’s health is a priority for First Minister Eluned Morgan, who stayed behind to listen in after the chamber had emptied following voting.

Responding to the debate on September 17, Ms Murphy – whose responsibilities include women’s health – pointed to £3m to support the plan and an additional £3.7m for research.

The mental health minister said the plan, which contains eight priority areas and more than 60 actions, will see a women’s health hub in each health board area by March 2026.

Sarah Murphy, minister for mental health and wellbeing

She told the Senedd: “There is no one-size-fits-all approach to the hubs in Wales, so each women’s health hub will need to respond to the particular needs of the women in that health board and particularly marginalised groups of women.

“It is essential that they can access the same standard of care – even if it’s delivered differently in Carmarthen, Cardiff and Conwy, for example.”

Ms Murphy stressed the scale and long-term nature of the reforms but was confident Wales is on the right path, saying: “There is absolutely the clinical will, the political determination.”

Health

RCN Wales appoints Nicola Williams as Executive Director

Published

1 day ago

March 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

NICOLA WILLIAMS will take up the role in April, bringing more than three decades of experience in nursing and senior leadership.

The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) has announced the appointment of Nicola Williams as its new Executive Director for Wales.

She joins the organisation from Velindre University NHS Trust, where she currently serves as Executive Director for Nursing, Allied Health Professionals and Health Care Scientists. With 38 years of experience in nursing and more than six years at executive board level, she is widely recognised across NHS Wales for her work in improving patient outcomes.

A highly experienced strategic leader, Williams has worked across a wide range of clinical and organisational settings. She has led major transformation programmes, strengthened national clinical leadership networks and championed innovation and evidence-based improvements in care. Her work has contributed to changes adopted across Wales and has been recognised with national awards.

Speaking about her appointment, Nicola Williams said: “I feel privileged to be appointed as Executive Director of RCN Wales. I’m a proud nurse, passionate about patient safety and improving care standards.

“Delivering the best care is only possible when nursing staff are supported to work in safe, inclusive environments. I will stand alongside members and their patients.

“Nursing staff are the backbone of health and care. I am determined to support our members across Wales, wherever they work, to meet the challenges ahead and shape the future of our profession.

“I look forward to meeting members across Wales and ensuring our work is informed by their experiences and expertise.”

In her new role, Williams will lead the RCN’s work in Wales and provide strategic leadership across key priority areas spanning the UK.

She succeeds Helen Whyley, who has held the position since February 2019 and will move into a new role as Director of Service Innovation at the RCN.

Health

Decision pending on adult mental health referral pathway

Published

2 days ago

March 19, 2026

Tom Sinclair

HYWEL DDA University Health Board will decide next week whether to make changes to the GP referral pathway for routine adult mental health services permanent.

The decision will be taken at a public Board meeting on Thursday (Mar 26).

Board members will consider a proposal to formalise changes already introduced in Ceredigion and, if approved, roll out the revised pathway across Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire.

Since March 2025, adults in Ceredigion seeking routine mental health support have been advised by their GP to contact the NHS 111 Wales ‘Press 2’ service, rather than being referred directly to the county’s Community Mental Health Team.

The temporary change was introduced in response to ongoing staffing shortages. Health Board officials say the approach has helped maintain timely access to face-to-face assessments for those who need them, while directing initial contact through a single access point.

The 111 ‘Press 2’ service provides telephone assessments by local wellbeing practitioners, supervised by registered mental health nurses, offering advice, support and onward referrals where required.

At its November 2025 meeting, the Board agreed to extend the temporary pathway until the end of March 2026. A nine-week engagement exercise followed, running from December 8 to February 9, to gather feedback from patients, professionals and stakeholders on the potential long-term impact.

Andrew Carruthers, Chief Operating Officer at Hywel Dda University Health Board, said: “I would like to thank everyone who took the time to share their views and experiences.

“I would also like to thank West Wales Action for Mental Health for supporting engagement with patients, including those with lived experience, alongside GPs, primary care teams, mental health staff and third sector partners.

“Our priority is to ensure mental health services remain accessible, fair and sustainable. The temporary changes in Ceredigion have shown some positive benefits, and the feedback we have received from across the three counties will play an important role in shaping the Board’s decision.”

The Board will review all evidence and feedback before making a final decision on the future of the adult mental health referral pathway.

GPs will continue to refer patients with urgent or complex needs directly to community mental health teams where appropriate, and have access to a dedicated NHS 111 professional line for additional clinical advice.

Further details, including the full Board papers, are available here:
https://biphdd.gig.cymru/amdanom-ni/eich-bwrdd-iechyd/cyfarfodydd-y-bwrdd-2026/agenda-a-phapuraur-bwrdd-26-mawrth-2026/

The meeting will be streamed live from 9:30am on Thursday (Mar 26) via:
www.youtube.com/hywelddahealthboard1

Health

Parents urged to check children’s vaccinations after meningitis cases

Published

2 days ago

March 19, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Local pharmacy reports MenB vaccine shortage amid rising concern

PARENTS and carers across west Wales are being urged to check their children’s vaccination status following recent meningitis cases in the UK.

The warning comes as a local pharmacy has confirmed a shortage of the Meningitis B (MenB) vaccine, highlighting growing pressure on supplies.

Mendus Pharmacy said it currently has no availability of the vaccine due to what it described as a nationwide supply issue.

***Mendus Pharmacy: No availability of the vaccine***

In a statement, the pharmacy said: “We would like to inform our patients that, due to ongoing supply issues, we currently have no availability of the Meningitis B vaccine.

“Unfortunately, this is a nationwide shortage and all stock is currently unavailable.

“We understand this may be particularly concerning given the recent outbreak reported in Kent, and we completely appreciate the importance of timely vaccination.”

The pharmacy confirmed it is operating a waiting list and will contact patients once supplies return.

Health officials say keeping vaccinations up to date remains one of the most effective ways to prevent serious illness and reduce pressure on NHS services.

Dr Ardiana Gjini, Executive Director of Public Health at Hywel Dda University Health Board, urged parents to act.

She said: “Vaccination is one of the most effective ways we can protect children and young people from serious illness.

“Ensuring your child is fully vaccinated not only safeguards their health but also helps prevent the spread of infections within our communities.

“I strongly encourage all parents and carers to check their child’s vaccination status. If you are concerned that your child may have missed routine vaccinations, please speak to your GP.”

Meningococcal disease is a serious and potentially life-threatening infection that can lead to meningitis or septicaemia. While many people recover, some are left with long-term physical, neurological or psychological complications. Around one in ten cases can be fatal.

Although the disease can affect anyone, babies, young children, teenagers and young adults are at greatest risk.

In Wales, vaccines protecting against meningococcal strains A, B, C, W and Y are offered as part of the NHS immunisation programme. Infants receive the MenB vaccine, while teenagers are offered the MenACWY vaccine.

Latest figures from the Health Board show that uptake among 16-year-olds for the MenACWY vaccine stands at 76.4%, meaning a significant number of young people remain unprotected as they approach adulthood.

For younger children, uptake of the MenB vaccine is higher but still below the recommended 95% target. Around 92.8% of infants are vaccinated by their first birthday, rising slightly to 91.8% by their second.

Health officials say these figures reflect strong engagement from families and primary care teams but stress that continued vigilance is needed.

Families are being advised to check their child’s vaccination record with their GP or by contacting the Health Board directly. Parents should also ensure babies receive their scheduled MenB doses and that teenagers receive their MenACWY and 3-in-1 booster vaccines, which are currently being delivered in schools.

Parents are also urged to remain alert to the symptoms of meningitis and septicaemia and to seek urgent medical advice if they have concerns.

Further information on symptoms is available via NHS 111 Wales.