GP practices across Northern Ireland carried out 1,352 non-scalpel vasectomies in 2025/26, allowing patients to receive treatment closer to home and helping to reduce pressure on hospitals.

The regional service saw 1,418 patients during the year, compared with 600 treated in primary care two years earlier. Bovally Medical Centre in Limavady performed 327 procedures in 2025/26 and a further 178 between April and September 2026.

Health Minister Robbie Butler visited the centre and met GP and clinical lead Dr Joe Devlin to discuss the Primary Care Elective Service.

Butler 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 operates across seven host GP practices, with 18 GPs with enhanced skills providing assessments and treatment. Local practices can refer eligible patients to a host practice.

Dr Devlin, one of two clinical leads for the 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."

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."