Health Board to consider refreshed long-term strategy at January meeting

22 January 2026

Hywel Dda University Health Board will consider a refreshed version of its long-term health and care strategy when it is presented to the public Board meeting on 29 January 2026.

The proposed refreshed strategy A Healthier Mid and West Wales  Healthier lives, well lived sets out the priorities up to 2040. It builds on the ambitions shared in 2018 A Healthier Mid and West Wales  Our future generations living well strategy. It does not change the Health Boards ambition for people to live healthier lives for longer, through prevention of ill-health and supporting people to keep well. Instead, it updates the strategy to reflect how peoples needs have changed over time. It also considers wider pressures on health and care services, like increasing demand and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The proposed refreshed strategy looks at how clinical developments, new digital tools and community facilities are creating more opportunities to provide help earlier and in our local communities. While setting out how services can adapt to these changes and continue supporting people to live healthier lives for longer.

The draft refreshed strategy has been shaped by engagement with communities, staff and partners across Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire. This took place in two phases of engagement held between July and November 2025 and involved nearly 3,000 people. Communities were asked what is important for them to live a healthier life, along with more focused questions about their priorities for health.

This engagement helped develop four main areas that the refreshed strategy focuses on: thriving teams, healthier communities, great care and positive futures. These key areas aim to respond to current challenges, the public and staff feedback through our engagement and the anticipated impact of an ageing population.

During engagement people consistently raised concerns about how far they need to travel to access health care. The refreshed strategy aims for more care to be delivered closer to where people live, with more support in communities and at home.

The proposed refreshed strategy also outlines how digital tools will play an increasing role in making it easier for people to access advice, book appointments, and view test results. The intention is to create a Digital First service that connects homes, communities, and hospitals. The refresh also expands on the work started in 2018 on a Social Model for Health and Wellbeing, which aims to move from providing care that mainly reacts to illness to one that seeks to prevent illness before it starts. Prevention being a central priority to supporting healthier lives and reducing long term demand on services.

Professor Phil Kloer, Hywel Dda University Health Board Chief Executive, said: Our communities have been clear about what matters most to them. People want fair access to care, strong local services, and support to stay well in their daily lives.

This proposed strategy refresh is about listening to that feedback and setting a clear direction for how we work together over the next 15 years. Our strategy focuses on health and keeping people well, not just treating illness.

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 and the individuals who play a vital role in shaping our social model for health and wellbeing.

Implementing the proposed refreshed strategy will need a more radical approach to how care is delivered. Lee Davies, Executive Director of Strategy and Planning, said: The principles of our 2018 strategy remain the same, but the world around us has changed. This refresh ensures our vision, goals and priorities reflect todays challenges and opportunities.

We will continue to move towards prevention, wellbeing and primary and community care, supported by digital solutions where appropriate. Most importantly, it shows how what people told us is being reflected in our plans.

The Board will consider the refreshed strategy at its meeting next week. If approved, the proposed strategy will 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. Whilst setting a vision up to 2040, it will be regularly reviewed to take account of changes and developments to communities and health needs.

You can follow the meeting live and access the Board papers via the Hywel Dda University Health Board website: https://hduhb.nhs.wales/about-us/your-health-board/board-meetings-2026. To learn more about the 2018 A Healthier Mid and West Wales strategy, and how the strategy has been refreshed, visit https://hduhb.nhs.wales/healthier-mid-and-west-wales/