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South Wales Argus
3 days ago
- Health
- South Wales Argus
Welsh Government provides endometriosis training for GPs
The scheme focuses on endometriosis, a condition affecting one in 10 women in Wales, and is part of the Welsh Government's Women's Health Plan, launched six months ago. The expert-led programme is delivered by Health Education and Improvement Wales (HEIW) and has already led to a 43 per cent increase in GP knowledge about endometriosis, boosting confidence in discussing symptoms and treatment options. Sarah Murphy, minister for mental health and wellbeing, said: "Women have told us that they feel they are not heard, and their symptoms are ignored. "This training ensures women's voices are central to their healthcare experience, and it helps GPs support their patients more effectively. "Endometriosis can have a huge impact on a woman's quality of life, their work and their relationships. "I am determined our Women's Health Plan will drive real improvements in women's health outcomes and reduce inequalities." Dr Mirka Slavska, an obstetrics and gynaecology consultant at Aneurin Bevan University Health Board who delivered the training, said: "I was delighted to deliver this training with Health Education and Improvement Wales. "The session covered differential diagnoses, referral pathways, novel diagnostic and treatment options, and introduced the Endometriosis Cymru symptom reporting tool. "The excellent feedback we received reflects the value of equipping healthcare professionals with current, practical knowledge to improve care for those living with endometriosis." Endometriosis is one of eight priority areas in the Women's Health Plan, published in December. Since its launch, key achievements include plans for a women's health hub in every health board area by March 2026, the creation of Wales' first women's health research centre, and a focused call for research into women's health communication. Dr Helen Munro, clinical lead for Women's Health in Wales, provided an update on the health hubs at the Everywoman Festival in Cardiff. She said: "Meeting women's needs across their life course will be at the heart of the new women's health hubs. "This is where healthcare professionals will join up with existing services to provide women's health services within our communities."
North Wales Chronicle
28-05-2025
- Health
- North Wales Chronicle
Free period products available in public spaces in Wales
This initiative is part of the Welsh Government's £3.2 million Period Dignity fund. The funding aims to provide essential period products to all who need them, in a bid to eradicate period poverty by 2027. These products are now freely available not only in every school and college in Wales but also in hundreds of public venues, including libraries, leisure centres, food banks, sports clubs, and youth hubs. The Welsh Government is determined that no one should miss education, work, or social activities because they cannot afford or access period products. Flintshire has been particularly successful with its 'Reusable Period Product Parties', which provide free reusable period cup kits, pad kits, and period pants. These events also create spaces for open conversations about menstrual health. The Community Sports Development Team in Flintshire has also included period products in first aid kits during outdoor activities and events. Councillor Mared Eastwood, Flintshire Council's cabinet member for education, Welsh language, culture, and leisure, said: "Holding Reusable Period Product Parties across libraries and leisure centres has helped to raise awareness and educate the community on reusable products, including a more sustainable alternative to disposable options. "Over 500 free reusable period pad kits, period pants kits, and period cup kits have been distributed through these events with many period positive conversations." The Welsh Government's cabinet secretary for social justice, Jane Hutt, said: "Period products are essential items and should be freely available to everyone who needs them. "Flintshire's approach to offering reusable products in public spaces while encouraging open conversations about periods is helping break down stigma." The minister for mental health and wellbeing, Sarah Murphy, said: "Menstrual health is one of the eight priority areas in our Women's Health Plan. "We are striving for period equity for all women and girls with access to products, facilities, and healthcare to manage their period and menstrual health. "By making free period products widely available across Wales, we're not just addressing period poverty – we're empowering women to participate fully in life without barriers."
Rhyl Journal
28-05-2025
- Health
- Rhyl Journal
Free period products available in public spaces in Wales
This initiative is part of the Welsh Government's £3.2 million Period Dignity fund. The funding aims to provide essential period products to all who need them, in a bid to eradicate period poverty by 2027. These products are now freely available not only in every school and college in Wales but also in hundreds of public venues, including libraries, leisure centres, food banks, sports clubs, and youth hubs. The Welsh Government is determined that no one should miss education, work, or social activities because they cannot afford or access period products. Flintshire has been particularly successful with its 'Reusable Period Product Parties', which provide free reusable period cup kits, pad kits, and period pants. These events also create spaces for open conversations about menstrual health. The Community Sports Development Team in Flintshire has also included period products in first aid kits during outdoor activities and events. Councillor Mared Eastwood, Flintshire Council's cabinet member for education, Welsh language, culture, and leisure, said: "Holding Reusable Period Product Parties across libraries and leisure centres has helped to raise awareness and educate the community on reusable products, including a more sustainable alternative to disposable options. "Over 500 free reusable period pad kits, period pants kits, and period cup kits have been distributed through these events with many period positive conversations." The Welsh Government's cabinet secretary for social justice, Jane Hutt, said: "Period products are essential items and should be freely available to everyone who needs them. "Flintshire's approach to offering reusable products in public spaces while encouraging open conversations about periods is helping break down stigma." The minister for mental health and wellbeing, Sarah Murphy, said: "Menstrual health is one of the eight priority areas in our Women's Health Plan. "We are striving for period equity for all women and girls with access to products, facilities, and healthcare to manage their period and menstrual health. "By making free period products widely available across Wales, we're not just addressing period poverty – we're empowering women to participate fully in life without barriers."
Leader Live
28-05-2025
- Health
- Leader Live
Free period products available in public spaces in Wales
This initiative is part of the Welsh Government's £3.2 million Period Dignity fund. The funding aims to provide essential period products to all who need them, in a bid to eradicate period poverty by 2027. These products are now freely available not only in every school and college in Wales but also in hundreds of public venues, including libraries, leisure centres, food banks, sports clubs, and youth hubs. The Welsh Government is determined that no one should miss education, work, or social activities because they cannot afford or access period products. Flintshire has been particularly successful with its 'Reusable Period Product Parties', which provide free reusable period cup kits, pad kits, and period pants. These events also create spaces for open conversations about menstrual health. The Community Sports Development Team in Flintshire has also included period products in first aid kits during outdoor activities and events. Councillor Mared Eastwood, Flintshire Council's cabinet member for education, Welsh language, culture, and leisure, said: "Holding Reusable Period Product Parties across libraries and leisure centres has helped to raise awareness and educate the community on reusable products, including a more sustainable alternative to disposable options. "Over 500 free reusable period pad kits, period pants kits, and period cup kits have been distributed through these events with many period positive conversations." READ MORE: Optician Dawn set sights on half marathon charity fundraiser The Welsh Government's cabinet secretary for social justice, Jane Hutt, said: "Period products are essential items and should be freely available to everyone who needs them. "Flintshire's approach to offering reusable products in public spaces while encouraging open conversations about periods is helping break down stigma." The minister for mental health and wellbeing, Sarah Murphy, said: "Menstrual health is one of the eight priority areas in our Women's Health Plan. "We are striving for period equity for all women and girls with access to products, facilities, and healthcare to manage their period and menstrual health. "By making free period products widely available across Wales, we're not just addressing period poverty – we're empowering women to participate fully in life without barriers."
Scotsman
13-05-2025
- Health
- Scotsman
Endo the Battle: Women's health minister vows to cut endometriosis waitlists
Watch more of our videos on and on Freeview 262 or Freely 565 Visit Shots! now Our endometriosis survey received more than 400 responses 🏥 Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... The Scottish government has said is committed to tackling 'unacceptable' waiting lists for gynaecology services, as it responds to the concerns of hundreds of patients living with endometriosis. Women's health minister Jenny Minto accepted that patients living with the condition are facing 'pain and discomfort' while waiting for a diagnosis, as she highlighted ongoing work to improve endometriosis care - which one patient said was a 'step in the right direction'. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad We have been amplifying the voices of those living with the debilitating, yet common, condition, in our Endo the Battle campaign. Patients in Scotland currently wait on average eight years and 10 months to get a diagnosis. In April, we wrote an open letter to health ministers across the UK highlighting our findings and calling for an end to the 'cycle of suffering' for endometriosis patients. More than 400 of you shared your experience with endometriosis with us via our anonymous survey, with key issues identified including delays in getting a diagnosis, lengthy waiting lists, knowledge gaps within the healthcare sector and the crippling costs of seeking private care. If you woke up with your first symptoms of endometriosis today, you're likely not to get a diagnosis until 2034 | National World We called for urgent action to improve healthcare and the financial cost of living with the condition, including upskilling frontline medical professionals, committing to care for extra pelvic endometriosis and providing endometriosis education in schools. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad In response to our findings, the Scottish Government's women's health minister Jenny Minto said: 'I understand that endometriosis can have a significant impact on people's lives. 'We are committed to ensuring those living with endometriosis symptoms benefit from healthcare services that are safe, effective and put people at the centre of their care. That is why it is one of the key priorities in the Women's Health Plan. 'We have taken action to support both women and health professionals to learn more about menstrual health - including endometriosis, the symptoms and treatment options - so that women are supported to get the help they need and waiting times for diagnosis can improve. 'We know many women are in pain and discomfort while facing long waits for gynaecology services and this is not acceptable. The 2025-26 Budget will provide a record £21.7 billion for Health and Social Care, including almost £200 million to reduce waiting lists and improve flow through hospitals, and gynaecology will be targeted as a key priority area for additional funding. Timely access to gynaecology services will be a priority as we continue to develop our Women's Health Plan.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Scotland was the first country in the UK to publish a Women's Health Plan in August 2021. In its response, the government said that wide-ranging progress had been made in the first three years, as highlighted in the Women's Health Plan Final Report which was published in November 2024. This includes the publication of an Endometriosis Care Pathway for NHS Scotland and the provision of educational materials for healthcare professionals. The government also told us that they have 'improved access to information for women and girls on menstrual health symptoms, conditions including endometriosis' in Scotland through the Women's Health Platform on NHS Inform. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Menstrual health and wellbeing education is also a key part of relationships, sexual health and parenthood (RSHP) education, and the government has also supported an engagement campaign in partnership with Young Scot to increase young people's awareness of endometriosis aimed at those aged 11 to 25. Amy Liston is saving up to travel to London for endometriosis care. | Amy Liston We spoke to Scottish patients about the government's response and while some welcomed a 'step in the right direction', they called for more to be done to improve care. Amy Liston is a self-employed artist who spoke to us as part of our campaign. She is currently saving up to travel to London for care in a multidisciplinary endometriosis centre, after her symptoms continued following a previous surgical procedure. Responding to the Scottish government's statement, the 25-year-old said: 'My opinion is that there needs to be more safeguarding, they can talk about focusing on cutting down waitlists but until there's an overhaul on education from school nurses to specialist surgeons, counselling on hand during the journey and waiting times, and then the financial struggle - we take on trying to self manage the pain and symptoms while waiting. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'I think to anyone not in the know, their response would seem really promising, but to us who know what's going on, it could be better. 'It is definitely a step in the right direction.' The Endo the Battle campaign is being spearheaded by health writer Sarah McCann - read her endometriosis story. If you have been affected by the content of this open letter or suspect you may have endometriosis you can find out more at the Menstrual Health Project.
