A MUM has criticised West Wiltshire Primary Care Trust after learning it no longer funds sterilisation and vasectomy operations.

Jacqueline Beardmore, 37, of Windsor Drive, Westbury, already has a four-year-old son, Kieran, and decided she does not want any more children but was shocked to discover she would have to pay up to £1,000 to be sterilised.

She said: "I'm 37 and I don't want to be on contraception for the next seven years because I don't want to risk the long-term effects. It makes it easier if I can have the operation and be done with it. "I've just got into a new relationship and the person I'm seeing is older and has already got two grown-up children. I want to do the responsible thing and avoid an unwanted pregnancy."

Mrs Beardmore learned of the cuts when she visited her doctor to inquire about the operation. "I think it is a disgrace. I am absolutely outraged," she said. "I feel I have contributed to the NHS since I was 16 and have therefore funded the operation myself.

"It would surely be more cost-effective to have a one-off operation than keeping me on the pill for the next seven years."

Mrs Beardmore said this was another example of health services being lost in west Wiltshire and believes the decision will mean more unwanted pregnancies and a rise in abortions.

"Not only are we losing hospitals, we are now also losing essential services to which the public have contributed," she said. "The decisions they make don't affect them but ordinary people in everyday life who can't afford private health care."

Melissa Dear, a spokesman for the Family Planning Association, said it had become more common for PCTs not to fund vasectomies but said it was rare for them not to pay for sterilisations.

"It's quite outrageous that the PCT is denying women this essential service," she said. "It is false economy as unplanned pregnancies will be more expensive in the long run. "Even to have the procedure with a non-profit organisation you are looking at about £700 which is huge amount of money to come up with."

Dr Paul Jakeman, medical director for the PCT, said cuts had to be made because of the gap between government funds and the cost of services. He said: "The professional executive committee, whose members are practising doctors and other clinicians, looked for services which could be reduced without affecting people who are ill."

He said other contraceptive services remained available and exceptional funding was available if alternative methods were not suitable for the medical or social needs of the patient. The decision will be reviewed by the PCT after a year.