To ask the Minister of Health when the option to refer patients for vasectomy services will be available on the systems used by GPs.

I was delighted to announce that non-scalpel vasectomy services in Northern Ireland will be transferred from secondary care to primary care. This will take effect from April 2024, with a transition phase throughout 2024/25.

This service enables GPs to refer patients requesting a non-scalpel vasectomy to a designated host practice where an accredited GP Vasectomist will perform the procedure negating the need for a referral to secondary care.

My Department is currently working with both HSC Trusts and the Federation Support Unit to ensure that a robust process is put in place to enable the safe transfer of care for patients suitable for the non-scalpel vasectomy service. This will ensure chronological management of patients waiting to access this procedure and who can be transferred to the primary care non-scalpel service. Whilst the aim is to re-open the GP to GP referral destination on the clinical communication gateway our priority is to ensure a robust process is in place to safely manage all patients currently waiting to access this procedure.

It is anticipated that the CCG GP referral destination will be re-opened in May 2024 following receipt of confirmation from the Federation Support Unit that waiting lists have been validated and the service is ready to accept new referrals.

A programme of communication and engagement is scheduled to take place with GPs led by the Federation Support Unit to advise on when referrals can commence.