Male and female sterilisation procedures carried out locally

WQ.17/2025

WRITTEN QUESTION TO THE MINISTER FOR HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES

BY DEPUTY L.M.C. DOUBLET OF ST. SAVIOUR

QUESTION SUBMITTED ON MONDAY 27th JANUARY 2025

ANSWER TO BE TABLED ON MONDAY 3rd FEBRUARY 2025

Question

"In relation to sterilisation procedures, will the Minister provide the following details separately for both male and female sterilisation –

1. the full range of options available;
2. the cost associated with each procedure;
3. how many procedures have been carried out each year for the last 10 years;
4. what restrictions, if any, are in place, whether in legislation, policy or practice, to accessing such procedures and on what are they based (age, spousal consent or any other reason); and
5. the number of times patients have had procedures denied?"

Answer

1. the full range of options available;

Available options for women:

• Laparoscopic tubal ligation using Filshie' clips. This is usually performed as a day case procedure in operating theatre under general anaesthetic. If women are already having laparoscopic surgery for other reasons, they may opt for a sterilisation procedure at the same time (either with the use of Filshie' clips or salpingectomy (removal of fallopian tubes).

• Ligation at the time of caesarean section

Available option for men:

• Vasectomy with either local or general anaesthetics

2. the cost associated with each procedure;

The procedures are not funded publicly; however, the consultant may request to have the procedure funded by Health and Care Jersey by exception.

Women and men will be charged the public patient costs. If they choose to have their procedure on a private basis, they will have to fund the private fees (e.g. surgeon fees, anaesthetic fees, theatre charges etc) in addition to the hospital charges for sterilisation/ vasectomy.

The 2025 public hospital charges are:

• £1322 for a female sterilisation if surgery is carried out as a sole procedure.

• £295 if female sterilisation is being performed as a secondary procedure (e.g. at the time of a

caesarean section).

• £1,026 for a male sterilisation (vasectomy) if surgery is carried out as a sole procedure.

• £295 if male sterilisation is being performed as a secondary procedure.

3. how many procedures have been carried out each year for the last 10 years;

The table below shows the number of sterilisation procedures performed in Jersey General Hospital in each of the last 10 years. Figures include those recorded as either publicly or privately funded. It is not possible to provide a breakdown of this split due to small numbers.

Year  2015  2016  2017  2018  2019  2020  2021  2022  2023  2024 Female  7  7  8  15  <5  20  11  13  13  <5 Male  6  <5  5  <5  5  11  8  8  11  <5

Data Source: Clinical Coding data and Theatres data held in the Hospital Patient Administration System (TrakCare / Maxims)

4. what restrictions, if any, are in place, whether in legislation, policy or practice, to accessing such procedures and on what are they based (age, spousal consent or any other reason) ; and

Generally, there are no restrictions in place. Spousal consent is not required. There is not an age limit, nor is there a restriction if women have not had any previous pregnancies.

The consultant will discuss the rationale for the procedure with the person and may reject to undertake the procedure if the rationale given is indicating the person has been coerced by others.

Both, men and women, are counselled regarding the risks of surgery, the intended irreversible nature of the surgery, the failure rate of surgery. In addition, women are counselled on the increased risks of ectopic pregnancy if they conceived after a sterilisation procedure, and on the implications if they later regret if circumstances change and desire fertility in the future. Alternatives such as LARC (long-acting reversible method of contraception) such as a progesterone-containing coil are being discussed, for example, if the woman has other problems such as heavy or painful periods.

5. the number of times patients have had procedures denied?"

Data for refused procedures are not held in a searchable format as they are in individual paper records.