Girls as young as 13 in the UK are being given contraceptive implants at school without their parents’ knowledge.
Nurses insert devices into their arms that temporarily prevent pregnancy by releasing hormones into the blood.
Last year 1,700 girls aged 13 and 14 were fitted with implants, while 800 had injections which have the same effect, according to The Daily Mail.
The 2010/2011 NHS figures also show that 3,200 15-year-old girls were fitted with implants, and 1,700 had injections.
But under strict patient confidentiality rules, staff are banned from seeking the permission of parents beforehand, or even informing them afterwards, despite the young age of the girls.
Not all the girls would have had the procedures at school.
Some may have been seen at family planning clinics or a GP surgery.
But MPs and campaigners say the scheme is morally wrong and violates parents’ right to protect their children.
Both forms of contraception can bring on side effects including weight gain, depression, acne and irregular periods.
The jabs have also been linked to bone thinning, although experts say fractures are unlikely if they are used only for a short time.
The implants and injections are being offered to girls in nine secondary schools and three sixth form colleges in Southampton under a scheme run by NHS Solent.
The sexual health clinics also offer other forms of contraception, advice and tests for infections.
The trust introduced the scheme in 2009 to tackle high rates of teenage pregnancy, which are among the worst in the country.
It is not known how many other areas are operating similar policies, but in 2008, the British Department of Health wrote to twenty-one authorities with high rates of teenage pregnancy, including Bristol, Manchester, Newcastle upon Tyne, Rotherham, Nottingham and Peterborough, urging them to increase the uptake of implants and jabs.
The implants last for three years before they need replacement. Injections are effective for up to three months.
One mother, whose 13-year-old daughter was given an implant at a Southampton school said, “I feel really angry. I agree that teaching teenagers about sexual health and contraception is very important but this is a step too far. I have spoken to a lot of parents at the school and they were horrified to find out this was happening.”
Tory MP Nadine Dorries said, “This is a violation of parents’ right to protect and nurture their children. It is a surgically invasive procedure being imposed on children without parents’ knowledge.”
But Natika Halil of the Family Planning Association said, “The provision of sexual health support to young people is a vital part of the Government’s strategy to reduce teenage pregnancy rates in the UK which are amongst the highest in Europe.”
Although teenage pregnancy rates in Britain are now beginning to fall, they are still six times higher than among Irish under 16 year olds. Ireland does not allow contraception to be given to young teenagers without parental permission or knowledge.
The Department of Health in the UK said, “Young people should think carefully before having sex. If they decide the time is right, they should talk to an adult about contraception. The health professional should be fully satisfied that the young person understands all the issues before they prescribe any contraceptive.”
A spokesman for NHS Solent said that since the scheme was introduced the number of teenage pregnancies had fallen.