It is unclear how the Welsh Government plans to deliver its long-awaited Women’s Health Plan, with only £3 million allocated for it in the 2025-26 Draft Budget.
The funding has been allocated for establishing women’s health hubs in Health Boards across Wales. However, the Senedd’s Health and Social Care Committee is concerned that it is insufficient to meet the plan’s ambitious goals.
During its scrutiny of the Welsh Government Draft Budget 2025-26, the Committee raised questions about the allocated funding for the women’s health hubs and is calling for clarity about the role they will play in tackling women’s health issues. It calls on Welsh Government to commit to a sustainable funding model to ensure that the Women’s Health Plan can deliver long-term results.
Russell George MS, Chair of the Senedd’s Health and Social Care Committee says:
“Time and time again during inquiries carried out by this Committee, we have heard about the challenges faced by women accessing the health service; how diagnoses were missed and symptoms dismissed as hysterical or due to a low pain threshold. And time and time again we were told that the Women’s Health Plan would bring an end to these barriers. Now that it’s here, it is still not clear how Welsh Government intends on making it work.
“Given the scale of the task in this area we are concerned that the £3 million allocated for this purpose is insufficient. At just a small fraction of the overall health budget, this funding falls short of what is needed to meaningfully address the health needs of women across Wales.
“While the establishment of women’s health hubs in each health board is a positive step, the focus seems heavily centred on gynaecological health, with insufficient attention to broader issues such as closing the gender health gap.”
The Welsh Government Draft Budget 2025-26 will be debated by the whole Senedd on Tuesday afternoon, 4 February.
Other issues raised by the Health and Social Care Committee include:
National Insurance Contributions
The UK Government's increase in employer National Insurance contributions (NICs) from 13.8% to 15% and the lowering of the per-employee liability threshold will significantly impact independent and third sector health and care providers. These include hospices and 80% of social care providers.
The Committee Chair, Russell George MS, said:
“We are extremely concerned about the proposed changes to National Insurance contributions in relation to the ability of independent and third sector health and care providers to continue to deliver services, and the resultant pressure that will place on the NHS.
“We are calling on the Welsh Government, as a matter of urgency, to set out its assessment of the impact and provide further information on how it intends to support those providers.”
Prevention Investments
While the draft budget includes £350 million earmarked for preventative work, there is a lack of mechanism to track and measure its impact. This makes it difficult to assess whether the funds are being used effectively and reduce long-term costs.
Carers Support Fund
The Carers Support Fund and Short Breaks Scheme provide essential support to unpaid carers. The Welsh Government has confirmed that funding will continue for a further twelve months, but the Committee is calling for it to provide increased, sustainable funding for respite care, given the demand and level of unmet need.
Read the report: Health and Social Care Committee: Welsh Government draft budget 2025-26
The Senedd's Finance Committee has said that the draft budget is riddled with ‘empty words’, and is calling for urgent changes to be made as the current proposals ‘lack focus and clarity’.
