SAINT LOUIS COUNTY, MO - (April 29, 2008) On Thursday, May 1st, 2008, the Saint Louis County Department of Health will be consolidating the pediatric and women's health clinics at the John C. Murphy Health Center with similar clinics located at the North Central Community Health Center and the South County Health Center. All other services offered at the John C. Murphy Health Center will remain unchanged, and the family physicians there will still be able to provide full health services for both women and children.
No staff positions are being eliminated and the total availability of services is not being reduced (although some staff are being relocated from the John C. Murphy Health Center to the other two health centers). The Health Department anticipates that the changes will result in better services for the Medicaid and managed-care population needing same-day pediatric and women's health services.
"We are very proud of our facilities and services, but we are always trying to improve," said Dr. Dolores Gunn, director of the Health Department. "This change is a part of that process."
Staff at the three health centers have been working for months to bring about the changes - changes that have included not only the moving of staff and equipment, but the education of patients, other staff, and the general public.
"We recognize that some clients may be concerned about these changes, but I want to assure everyone who comes through our doors that no matter what clinic a county resident visits, they will have their medical needs assessed and addressed," said Dr. Michael Railey, director of the Research and Medical Services Division of the Health Department.
Staff have been working with clients to reschedule appointments, provide directions to health centers they may not have visited before, and respond to questions about the change.
The three health centers run by the Saint Louis County Department of Health offer a full spectrum of primary care services for the residents of Saint Louis County. This includes adult medical services for the general public, pediatric services for children, dental services, testing and counseling for HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases, immunizations (including for those traveling abroad), lead screening and treatment services, eye care, foot care, nutrition counseling, and WIC services.
All county residents are welcome (proof of residency is required).
The three health centers are located throughout the county as follows:
John C. Murphy Health Center6065 Helen AvenueBerkeley, Missouri 63134
North Central Community Health Center (Pine Lawn)4000 Jennings Station RoadSaint Louis, Missouri 63121
South County Health Center4580 South Lindbergh BoulevardSunset Hills, Missouri 63127
For a complete list of services offered at the county's three health centers, visit the health centers' website at http://www.stlouisco.com/doh/hlthctrs/services.html. |
