WILTSHIRE Primary Care Trust is set to reverse its policy on not providing sterilisations and vasectomies.

The PCT decided soon after it was formed in October 2006 not to fund both procedures to save money.

Before the PCT was created following a merger of other PCTs the procedures were available free of charge.

At an upcoming board meeting on Tuesday the PCT is being recommended to re-instate sterilisation.

In the report to be considered at the board meeting Elizabeth Lee, a consultant in public health, says: "Both vasectomy and female sterilisation are only considered as exceptions and request for treatment are dealt with through the Exceptions Committee.

"Currently members of the public are complaining to their MPs, GPs and the PCT that sterilisation procedures are not routinely available.

"Several members of the public have pointed out that withdrawing this service is not cost effective.

"They have complained that the cost of providing them with other forms of contraceptives or the cost of increased numbers of abortions is actually more expensive.

"They have also complained that other local PCTs do routinely commission these procedures."

Mrs Lee says a vasectomy costs about £500, while female sterilisation costs about £1,000, although she says the costs could probably be negotiated at a lower tariff.

The board meeting is held in public and is at the PCT's headquarters at Southgate House, Pans Lane, Devizes, at 10am.