Home / Health / NHS Denies Woman Birth Control, Wins Appeal
NHS Denies Woman Birth Control, Wins Appeal
1 May
Summary
- Woman wins case after NHS refused permanent birth control.
- NHS applied stricter rules for female sterilisation than vasectomies.
- Ombudsman found NHS policy unfair and discriminatory.
A woman has successfully challenged an NHS body's refusal to grant her permanent birth control, marking a significant victory in her decade-long quest for sterilisation. Leah Spasova's request was initially rejected by the Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire West Integrated Care Board (BOB ICB) due to concerns about potential regret and cost-effectiveness.
However, the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman ruled that the ICB's policy was unfair, inconsistent, and subjectively reasoned. The ombudsman highlighted that the ICB routinely funded vasectomies for men without applying the same 'regret' criteria. This disparity, along with inconsistent cost-effectiveness arguments, led to the finding of discrimination.
The ruling has prompted the successor body, Thames Valley ICB, to review and revise its policies. A committee recommended that female sterilisation should be funded without refusal based on regret or availability of other contraception. The ICB has since implemented a new policy ensuring access to sterilisation for eligible patients and is improving its complaints process.
