Woman denied permanent birth control on NHS wins case with ombudsman
Leah Spasova, a psychologist from Oxfordshire, won her decade-long fight to access NHS-funded female sterilisation after being repeatedly denied due to concerns about potential regret, while men in the same region could access vasectomies without similar barriers. The health ombudsman ruled that the policy of the Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire West integrated care board was unfair, inconsistent, and discriminatory. The ombudsman's investigation highlighted systemic issues in how permanent contraception is commissioned and has prompted a policy review by the ICB.
- ▪Leah Spasova was denied NHS funding for tubal ligation over concerns about regret, a criterion not applied to men seeking vasectomies.
- ▪The parliamentary and health service ombudsman found the integrated care board's policy to be unfair, inconsistent, and not aligned with clinical guidance.
- ▪In 2024, a regional advisory committee recommended funding for female sterilisation after recognizing equality issues in access.
- ▪The ombudsman emphasized that counselling, not blanket refusal, should address potential regret in patients seeking sterilisation.
- ▪Following the ruling, the Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire West ICB is reviewing its sterilisation policy.
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‘I understood quite young that I didn’t want that level of anxiety in my life’ from having children, Spasova said. Photograph: xpreneurship LtdView image in fullscreen‘I understood quite young that I didn’t want that level of anxiety in my life’ from having children, Spasova said. Photograph: xpreneurship LtdContraception and family planningWoman denied permanent birth control on NHS wins case with ombudsmanLeah Spasova from Oxfordshire fought for 10 years to obtain tubal ligation procedure, while men could get vasectomies Analysis: questions over how accessible procedure should be Sarah Marsh Consumer affairs correspondent Fri 1 May 2026 09.00 EDTSharePrefer the Guardian on GoogleA woman denied a permanent form of birth control on the NHS over fears she might regret it, while men were…
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