More than 1,350 routine vasectomy procedures were carried out in
GP practices across Northern Ireland last year, helping patients
access treatment closer to home and reducing pressure on hospital
services.
Health Minister highlighted the progress
during a visit to Bovally Medical Centre in Limavady where he met
GP and Clinical Lead Dr Joe Devlin to hear how the Primary Care
Elective Service is improving access to care.
During 2025/26, a total of 1,418 patients were seen and 1,352
non-scalpel vasectomy procedures carried out through the regional
service. These figures compare to the total of 600 patients who
were treated in primary care just two years before. Bovally
Medical Centre alone delivered 327 procedures last year, with a
further 178 undertaken in the first six months (April September)
of 2026/27.
Speaking during the visit, Health Minister said: Behind these figures
are patients who have been able to access the care they need
closer to home, without having to join a hospital waiting list.
This is exactly the kind of practical change we need to see
across our health service. Our focus is on ensuring patients
receive the right care, in the right place, at the right
time.
Our Neighbourhood model is about GP practices, hospitals and
community services working as one to improve access to care and
reduce waiting times. I want to thank Dr Devlin and the dedicated
GP and practice teams involved. They demonstrate how working
together can make a real difference for patients.
The regional Primary Care Vasectomy Service currently operates
across seven host GP practices, with 18 GPs with Enhanced Skills
delivering assessment and treatment. Local GP practices can refer
eligible patients to a participating host practice, enabling
patients to access the service within primary care.
Dr Joe Devlin, GP at Bovally Medical Centre in Limavady and one
of two Clinical Leads for the regional service, said: Providing
routine vasectomy procedures in primary care means patients
receive high-quality assessment and treatment in a local,
community based setting.
At Bovally Medical Centre, we carried out 327 procedures last
year and a further 178 in the first six months of this year.
These figures demonstrate the important contribution GP practices
can make to improving access to planned care.
This model allows us to use the specialist skills of experienced
GPs to provide an efficient and accessible service for patients,
while helping to ease demand on hospital services.
Minister Butler added: Improving access to planned care and
reducing waiting times remain key priorities. Delivering more
services closer to home is an important part of our work to build
a health service that is more responsive to patients' needs and
sustainable for the future.
Notes to Editors:
- In April 2024 Health Minister announced that he had decided
vasectomy services in Northern Ireland were to be transferred
from secondary care to primary care.
- Health Minister visited Bovally Medical
Centre, 2 Rossair Road, Limavady, on Wednesday 11 November
2026.
- The Primary Care Elective Service enables suitable patients
with routine conditions to receive assessment and treatment
within primary care, avoiding unnecessary referrals to secondary
care.
- Bovally Medical Centre delivered 90 clinic sessions in
2025/26, with 336 patients seen and 327 procedures undertaken.
Between April and September 2026, it delivered 52 sessions, with
185 patients seen and 178 procedures undertaken.
