Health Board thanks communities for helping to refresh its health and care strategy

19 December 2025 

Over the past nine weeks, almost 2,000 people across Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire, shared their views on what matters most for living a healthy life. 

Hywel Dda University Health Board asked 11 key questions about how people stay well, how they access care, and what improvements they would like to see in their local area, including in healthcare buildings and settings and digital services. These questions were shaped around four main themes, developed from feedback shared by members of the community during the summer. These included: 

1. A Social Model for Health and Wellbeing – how local areas and support networks help people stay well 
2. Digital healthcare support – how digital solutions can make care easier to access and use 
3. Balancing hospital care and community support – staying well in the community 
4. Clinical services and hospital redevelopment – what matters most when improving healthcare buildings and spaces 

The feedback gathered will be shared in January, and will help shape a refreshed long-term strategy, guiding how safe, sustainable and accessible services are delivered for the next 15 years. The ambitions of the Healthier Mid and West Wales strategy remain the same as those developed in 2018, enabling people to live healthier lives for longer. The updated strategy will reflect changes in clinical practice, technology and how people use health services since then. 

Lee Davies, Executive Director of Strategy and Planning, said: 

“Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to share their views. The direction of travel remains as per our 2018 strategy, so we want to reassure people that this is not a radical change of direction but rather a refinement in how we deliver the strategy.  Your feedback is helping us reshape our strategy so that it continues to reflect the priorities of the people we serve, and the changes in clinical practice.” 

During the summer engagement people shared how the role of communities is key – people depend on families and friends to keep them well and connected. Timely access to GP services is also seen as important, and the ability to travel to appointments, particularly in rural areas where public transport is limited. People also asked for digital access to be simple and inclusive, recognising that not everyone has access to technology or the same accessibility needs. 

At its November public Board meeting, Hywel Dda University Health Board considered progress on refreshing the strategy. It also received updates on the development of a Primary and Community Care Strategic Plan, which will be presented to the Board in January 2026. This plan has been developed following engagement including in-person and online drop-in showcase events across the region, as well as an online questionnaire. The plan will set the overall direction for Primary and Community Care and enable cluster-led plans for how care will be delivered locally. 

The Board also discussed Welsh Government’s request for an addendum to the 2022 Programme Business Case (a detailed plan that explains how major projects, like new buildings and facilities, will be funded and delivered). This will explore additional scenarios for improving our estate and whether a new facility could address infrastructure problems. It will also consider how all plans align with the national strategy, A Healthier Wales, which aims to provide more care in the community and closer to home. 

A draft refreshed strategy will be presented to the Board in January 2026 to agree the content. Once approved, it will be published in accessible formats. The Health Board will continue to involve communities as the strategy moves forward, with further opportunities for people to share their views. 

To read more about how we’ve involved our communities in refreshing our strategy, and to stay up to date, visit the Have Your Say website. (opens in new tab)