Health Board approves long-term strategy shaped by communities
29 January 2026
At its Board meeting today, Hywel Dda University Health Board has approved its refreshed long-term strategy, 'A Healthier Mid and West Wales – Healthier lives, well lived'.
The refreshed strategy builds on the Health Board’s ambition to support people to live healthier lives for longer as set out in 'A Healthier Mid and West Wales – our future generations living well' that was developed in 2018. The updated strategy sets out how health and care will be delivered across Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire for the next 15 years.
Shaped by engagement with nearly 3,000 people, including patients, carers, community groups, staff, and partner organisations, the strategy reflects the feedback collected about what would help people to live healthier lives.
Professor Phil Kloer, Chief Executive at Hywel Dda University Health Board, explains: “Our refreshed strategy, 'A Healthier Mid and West Wales - Healthier lives, well lived', sets out the Health Board’s priorities up to 2040. It builds on the ambitions shared in our original, 'A Healthier Mid and West Wales - Our future generations living well', strategy.
“It does not change the Health Board's ambition for people to live healthier lives for longer, through supporting people to keep well and prevention of ill health. Instead, it updates the strategy to reflect how people’s needs have changed over time. It takes account of what we’ve learnt since our original strategy was published in 2018, including the development of digital technology and how our buildings and estates needs have changed over time. It also considers wider pressures on our health and care services, like increasing demand and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.”
During the engagement, people said they wanted a stronger focus on helping people stay well, easier access to support, and more care closer to where they live. Staff and partners also described the importance of prevention, good teamwork and safe, sustainable services that can respond to the needs of future generations.
The refreshed strategy responds directly to this feedback. It sets out a clear intention to strengthen community-based support, prevent illness wherever possible, and provide earlier help so people do not need to rely on hospitals. It also commits to supporting staff well-being, improving digital access (while retaining face-to-face options), and developing modern, sustainable facilities that are fit for purpose.
The refreshed strategy is built around four themes, Thriving Teams, Healthier Communities, Great Care and Positive Futures. They also reflect what people told the Health Board matters most: staying well for longer, receiving help earlier and accessing care closer to where people live.
Lee Davies, Executive Director of Strategy and Planning at Hywel Dda University Health Board, said: “Our refreshed strategy sets out a clear direction for the years ahead. People shared with us what would help them to live a healthier life, and we have listened and incorporated their views into shaping our updated strategy.
“We now have a shared plan that reaffirms our focus on prevention, providing earlier support to help people to keep well, and build stronger communities, while making sure our services can deliver the care people need.
"It is also guided by our values of belonging, growth and working together. These values continue to emphasise the importance of putting people first, improving our services, and supporting each other to deliver the best care possible.
"We will continue to work with our communities in mid and west Wales, together with individuals who play a vital role in shaping our social model for health and well-being."
The refreshed strategy will now be finalised and published in multiple accessible formats. The Health Board will continue to work with communities, staff and partners as delivery plans are developed. While setting a vision up to 2040, it will be regularly reviewed to take account of changes and developments to communities and health needs.
To receive updates on the refreshed strategy, and to get involved with future discussions about how healthcare services are provided, please register with the Siarad Iechyd/Talking Health scheme (opens in new tab).