7. Statement by the Minister for Health and Social Services: Women’s Health

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 5:52 pm on 5 July 2022.

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Photo of Laura Anne Jones Laura Anne Jones Conservative 5:52, 5 July 2022

I'm just trying to cut down my speech here. I very much welcome this statement and the opportunity to talk about women's health. For too long in our society, we've seen women's health, safety and well-being neglected and overlooked. I really welcome that there'll be a 10-year women's health plan in the autumn, and I very much welcome lots of parts of this statement. It will be an enormous opportunity for this Senedd to make a significant contribution in many ways to women across Wales.

One major area of concern with me, of course, is perinatal care—something that Buffy and I have both spoken with some passion about, because of the experiences that we had. Due to the significant and long-lasting effects of not treating perinatal health, what, Minister, are you doing in terms of ensuring equality of access to perinatal services across Wales, and what, as Rhun just said, resources have been put aside to address that? 

And I very much welcome your statement about endometriosis, and I commend the work that Suzy Davies, a past colleague, brought to this Chamber about highlighting all those issues. What are you doing to highlight awareness of this issue, endometriosis, working with the Minister for education, with the new curriculum, but also perimenopause and menopause and all women's issues? How are you working with other Ministers to highlight those in Wales? Thank you.