This pathway should be accessed for

• Counselling and pre-assessment of men requesting permanent male contraception
• Referral for a vasectomy procedure in a community setting

• Ambivalence
• Competency

Alternatives are

• Female sterilisation
• Reversible methods of contraception, especially the highly effective LARC (IUC and implants).

Exclude Red Flag Symptoms

Current testicular problems should be excluded and investigated in the first instance prior to referral. Exclusion criteria listed below should be followed.  Patients inability to consent and or ambivalence reluctance to undergo the procedure should be discussed with the patient prior to referral.

Prior to or as an alternative to vasectomy, practices should counsel on/ arrange provision of the full range of reversible contraception. Alternative contraception must be used until the vasectomy procedure has been confirmed successful.

1. E-Referral (choose and Book) please note this is for triage bookings only. Please forward referral through choose and book triage system and inform the patient that they will be contacted by CHCP care co-ordination team.

2. Completed Healthcare Professional referral forms can be sent via email to CHCP.247111@nhs.net

3. Care co-ordination centre - NOTE: referrals from GP/HCP must be completed in full with the relevant requested information attached.

4. Failure to provide this will result in delay of an appointment for the client.

Do Not Refer

• The following conditions would exclude referral into the community service, and therefore appropriate referral would be to the acute trust via E-referral
• Immunosuppression
• Unstable heart condition or diabetes
• Scrotal surgery, including for undescended testes
• Scrotal Hydrocoele or Varicocoele
• Inguinal Hernia
• A bleeding disorder
• Taking “blood thinning” medication such as warfarin ( in case of Aspirin, we can proceed but patient will need to stop this 3 days before and restart 2 days after the procedure)
• Allergy to Local Anaesthetic
• Body Mass Index (BMI) of over 35
• Drug or Alcohol misuse
• Hypersensitivity of scrotal skin
• Anxiety affecting the ability to lie still for 30 minutes

 

Pre-assessment and counselling check list must be completed by the referring HCP; BMI is a mandatory field as procedure is dependent on this information.

Pre-assessment Referral form on ARDENS.