HYWEL Dda University Health Board's nine-week engagement period to refresh its long-term strategy is ending. Join the discussion to shape the future of healthcare.

Since launching the engagement on September 26, 2025, feedback has been gathered from hundreds of people across Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, and Pembrokeshire. This feedback is helping shape a refreshed strategy that reflects what matters most to local communities, not just in terms of healthcare services, but also the wider factors that support good health and well-being.

The engagement asks 11 key questions about how people stay well, access care, and what improvements they would like to see in their local area, healthcare buildings, and digital services. People are responding to these questions on the Health Board’s website and feedback is also being collected through engagement with community groups, social media, and direct conversations with staff.

Reflecting on the feedback received so far, some common themes have emerged. The importance of communities and connection between people - the role of families and friends - in enabling well-being has been shared. This also includes the important role that volunteers play in supporting people within communities every day. Other common themes highlight the importance of local facilities for health and well-being, such as gyms, sports clubs and social networks.

A wish to have greater access to GP services has also been shared, to be able to access services to keep well, in addition to accessing support when unwell.

From the perspective of digital support, there is strong interest in using the existing NHS Wales app to bring together information, advice, and booking services in one place. Other issues raised around digital services include needing to support individuals trying to access services where there is poor connectivity, for people with access needs (including sensory impairments), and support for people less confident using digital technology.

Feedback also shows concern about travel and transport, particularly for rural communities facing long journeys for care and limited public transport options. Some suggestions have been made around practical support to address this, such as enhancing current volunteer schemes that help people with transport issues.

Chief Executive Professor Philip Kloer said:

“Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to share their views so far. If you have an interest in shaping the future of health and wellbeing in our area, I encourage you to take this opportunity to shape our strategy.

Gathering insights from our communities will help us to ensure our future plans continue to reflect the needs and priorities of the people we serve.”

Everyone wishing to do so can get involved and join the conversation by:

People are invited to share their views by Friday, November 28, 2025.