Written question WQ90114

Health boards are responsible for the planning of delivery of services for their population. The delivery of long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) services, including intra-uterine devices, is through a mixed model of GP practices, and hospital and community services in line with the health board care pathway. Data on the number of GP practices in Wales offering coil fitting is held by health boards.

Individual health boards operate different appointment systems and processes, some such as Cardiff and Vale hold waiting lists, others do not. As such, it is not possible to give definitive numbers for those on coil-fitting waiting lists or to calculate an average waiting time.

My officials are aware of the challenges faced by reproductive health post-pandemic. A task and finish group, which includes representation from service users, has been established to consider the issue.

Service providers will now be brought together to form a clinical network and carry out an audit of all services in Wales, which will map current pathways for provision of long-acting reversible contraception and identify gaps. The findings will be reported to the Welsh Government’s Sexual Health Programme Board in 2024.