About our service
Our no-scalpel vasectomy (NSV) service provides evidenced based care to men aged 18 years and above, who have requested a vasectomy and who are medically classed as non-complex. We’re committed to delivering best practice and have been recognised as a service leader, both locally and nationally, receiving two service awards.
Our experienced team of specialist service managers, accredited general practitioners, nurse practitioners, health care assistants and administrative support staff aim to put patient safety, privacy and dignity first, to ensure a positive patient experience is at the heart of our service delivery. We provide patients with effective and timely access to our services, whilst providing patient choice, offering appointments in a range of locations.
Our community based service provides a 'one stop shop' facility, expert assessment, triage and management of patients who have requested a no-scalpel vasectomy from their GP. This includes pre assessment, consent, and procedure, post-operative testing, information, guidance and support in accordance with the commissioned patient pathway.
Referrals are received from your GP directly to our service via ‘choose and book’. Patients will receive information from their GP requesting you to telephone us to make an appointment at a time and venue most convenient to your individual needs. Our clinic times are as follows:
- Darlington - Dr Piper House, Specialist Services (Entrance C) - Wednesdays 1pm to 4.30pm
- Derwentside - Stanley Primary Care Centre - Tuesdays 9am to 4.30pm (bi-weekly)
- Stanhope - Weardale Community Hospital - every 3 months 1pm to 4.30pm
All appointments should be directed to us by telephone: 01325 746292 Monday to Thursday from 10am to 4pm.
Our no-scalpel vasectomy team includes:
- General Practitioners with special interest in no-Scalpel vasectomy (GPwSI) - Dr. Andrew Baines, Dr. Andrew Michie and Dr. Gordon Gowens
- Nurse practitioner - Jayne Sheehan
- Administrative secretary - Loraine Dodds
No-scalpel vasectomy is a modern technique which is safer, less uncomfortable and has a shorter recovery time than a scalpel vasectomy. The British Association of no-scalpel vasectomists is working to replace scalpel vasectomy with no-scalpel vasectomy as the standard procedure in the UK and abroad. Vasectomy is the operation which prevents a man from fathering further children. It does not affect sexual performance or general wellbeing. The no-scalpel method is recommended as best practice by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) as it reduces the risk of bleeding, infection and pain (RCOG, 2004
The procedure itself takes up to 30 minutes, however a 45 minute appointment time is usually given, which includes assessment, counselling, and consent.
You should not do heavy physical labour for at least 72 hours after your vasectomy. If your job doesn't involve this kind of work, you can go back sooner if you feel comfortable doing so. It is recommended however that you rest for 24 hours following the procedure to reduce the chances of complications. This will be discussed at your appointment, as individual circumstances will be taken into account.
Over 10 studies have evaluated more than 20,000 men who have had vasectomies, documenting their progress for up to 25 years after the procedure. The data indicates that men having a vasectomy are no more likely to develop cancer, heart disease or other health problems, than any other man.
An estimated 2% - 6% of men undergoing vasectomy may request a reversal at a later date. In many cases, the cut ends of the vas deferens can be surgically reattached. However, this operation does not guarantee a return to fertility. Vasectomy reversal appears to be more successful if performed within 10 years of the vasectomy, but again there is no guarantee that fertility will be restored. Vasectomy should therefore be considered a permanent procedure. Before a vasectomy is decided upon, you must make sure that you and your partner do not want any more children. If you are thinking about a reversal now, perhaps you should take more time to decide whether vasectomy is the right form of birth control. Generally reversals of vasectomies are not funded by the NHS, and this is the case at our Trust.
Patient information leaflets are sent to each patient with their confirmation letter of appointment date and time. If you require more information, our team are available to speak to you on the telephone or we can arrange an appointment for you to discuss any issues or concerns you may have.