Women are no longer able to get tubal ligations at Catholic-run St. Elizabeth's Hospital in Humboldt, Sask.

The sterilization procedure had been banned at the hospital since the end of June, following a decision by the hospital board.

Now, a local family physician, Dr. Carrie Levick-Brown, has launched a petition to try to get the ban overturned.

"My initial reaction was somewhat of shock, disbelief and perhaps a group of people had been rushed into a misguided decision," she said. 

Levick-Brown said a patient who had given birth via a caesarian section had requested a tubal ligation and was turned down.

In the operation, a woman's fallopian tubes are blocked, tied or cut to prevent conception.

"We were told that could not be performed in our facility. And at that time I realized that no, there wouldn't be any backing down on this policy. And this was their actual decision," she said.

Levick-Brown said she was told the ban was imposed because the hospital board felt it needed to follow the Catholic health ethics guide more closely. The Catholic Church is opposed to sterilizations.

Hospital board chair Jerome Strasser said the hospital is obligated to follow the Catholic health guidelines.

Meanwhile, Saskatchewan Health Minister Len Taylor said he is getting more information about what role he may have in this situation and is considering his options.

"Bottom line is we are responsible for providing equitable care to Saskatchewan people right across the province," he said.

"We want to have a very good working relationship with the Humboldt hospital and citizens."

Taylor said he may have more to say Thursday about whether hospitals that receive public money can pick and choose which procedures they do.

Humboldt is about 115 kilometres east of Saskatoon.