What We’ve Been Doing This Month – September

Celebrating Inclusivity in Research in Wales, Senedd Debate on Women’s Health Inequality in Rural Areas, Bangor University Women’s Health Symposium, North Wales Engagement Practitioners Forum, and Endometriosis UK: Living with Endometriosis

Celebrating Inclusivity in Research in Wales

FTWW’s Director, Debbie, and our Chair, Willow, were delighted to attend Health and Care Research Wales’s event at the Senedd on 18 September, celebrating inclusivity in research in Wales.

As well as representing FTWW, Debbie and Willow also represented the newly-established Women’s Health Research Centre for Wales as third sector Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement partners.

The event was a chance to connect with key stakeholders, and explore how we can create more inclusive opportunities for people to take part in research to address health inequalities in Wales.

We believe a focus on coproduction and ensuring ‘seldom heard’ voices are not just included but enabled to lead on research topics, and valued as equitable partners, is vital.

There is much to do as Wales is languishing near bottom of healthy life expectancy leader boards in the western world. Health research – and acting on its findings – will be vital to improve both Wales’s standing, and citizens’ lives.

Senedd Debate on Women’s Health Inequality in Rural Areas

Willow and Debbie also attended a Senedd debate led by Cefin Campbell MS (pictured), under the title ‘Bridging the Rural Divide: Women’s Health in Wales’. They heard how women and patients in rural Wales continue to experience barriers to accessing optimum healthcare for conditions like endometriosis and adenomyosis – experiences we hear often in our community.

Assurances were given by Sarah Murphy MS, Minister for Mental Health and Wellbeing (who also has responsibility for the Women’s Health Plan) that conversations with the NHS Wales Joint Commissioning Committee about access to specialist endometriosis care are ongoing.

Debbie and Willow spoke to both Cefin and the Minister afterwards about the development of Women’s Health Hubs in each health board and the role Hubs will play in improving timely access to services, and communications between patients and healthcare professionals. We at FTWW look forward to continuing the dialogue.

You can watch the debate here (under the title Short Debate, 18:26).

Bangor University Women’s Health Symposium

On behalf of FTWW, Isabel and Debbie delivered a keynote presentation at Bangor University College of Medicine and Health’s Annual Women’s Health Symposium.

Speaking on the topic of ‘Coproducing Health Research for Impact on Policy, Practice, and Women’s Lives’, they described the importance of hearing women’s voices as we develop health and care research, and design and deliver services for Wales’s population. FTWW believes that coproduction of this sort is vital if we are to ensure healthcare meets all patients’ needs and doesn’t disadvantage certain groups.

North Wales Engagement Practitioners Forum

Isabel presented to the North Wales Engagement Practitioners Forum on Tuesday 16 September, at a hybrid event dedicated to the Women’s Health Plan and its priorities. The meeting was attended by NHS staff and third sector organisations, and was an opportunity to share common challenges, highlight concerns, and discuss best practice.

Endometriosis UK: Living with Endometriosis

FTWW Engagement Coordinator, Dee, and Volunteer Champion for Endometriosis, Rachel, were delighted to join our friends Endometriosis UK at their Living with Endometriosis event in Cardiff on 27 September. They spoke to attendees and shared resources from FTWW, Endometriosis Cymru, and partner organisations, including Menstrual Health Project.

It was a day of so much useful information and solidarity with patients, and it was great to see so many familiar faces! Diolch Endometriosis UK for having us!