A LEADING clinician has hit out at a decision to end free vasectomies in north Essex.

The North East Essex Clinical Commissioning Group has decided to stop vasectomies and female sterilisations on the NHS in Colchester and Tendring, except for in exceptional circumstances.

Now Dr Laurel Spooner, lead clinician at the Tollgate Centre, has written to the clinical commissioning group’s acting chief officer Sam Hepplewhite to argue against the cuts.

Surgeries have already been told they cannot accept any NHS referrals for vasectomies after September 20, with contracts ending at the end of October.

Anyone not registered beforehand will face charges of about £300. Dr Spooner said she could not understand the decision made by the North East Essex Clinical Commissioning Group.

The group is seeking to save £14million a year.

But Dr Spooner said: “Vasectomy is the cheapest form of contraception.

“I have also asked that patients who have a real need for vasectomies should still have it funded.

“Some couples find the woman is not able to use any other form of contraception successfully.

“It seems unfair that men should be prevented from helping their partner in contraception.

“Men wanting to do their bit will have to self fund the cost of £295.”

Dr Spooner urged any patients wanting a vasectomy to get themseleves referred before September 20.

“Anybody who needs or wants a vasectomy–and is certain – will be able to have it for free and not have to pay,” she added.

She said it was unfair patients in north Essex were being denied a service available all over the country.

A spokesman from the North East Essex Clinical Commissioning Group said: “The North East Essex CCG needs to make £14million savings this year and each year for the next four years.

“Given the need to make savings, we have considered the relative clinical values of each of our services to each other.

“The community vasectomy and female sterilisation services are considered to be of relatively lower clinical value – rather they are considered as one of many forms of contraception.

“Both vasectomy and female sterilisation will however be available in cases of complex health needs. There are other forms of contraception that are widely available.”