TRANSITIONING OF NORTHEAST CLINIC PATIENTS

After establishing that adequate community capacity for services exists among area health care providers at nine separate sites, Delaware's Division of Public Health (DPH) will close its sexual and reproductive health clinic at the Northeast State Service Center on Aug.10. Patients who have sought services at the clinic located at 1624 Jessup Street in Wilmington were notified by mail on July 27 and provided with options of alternative providers.

DPH sexual and reproductive health clinics provide pregnancy testing, physical exams, birth control education, counseling, screening and treatment of sexually transmitted diseases, HPV vaccination, Pap tests and breast exams. DPH will continue serving patients at its sexual and reproductive health clinic at Winder Laird Porter State Service Center at 509 W. 8th St. in Wilmington and six other locations statewide. Patients may call DPH at 302-577-3521 to request records or other assistance.

"This change in services represents DPH's emphasis on population-based health where the Division is performing functions unique to the discipline of public health," said Dr. Karyl Rattay, DPH director. "We were duplicating existing health services and competing with area health care providers. We met local health partners and they are happy to provide care to these patients."

DPH is working hard to be responsible guardians of public funds. It is our belief that the most important services we can provide are those that impact large groups of people and systems, rather than individuals. In contrast to clinical services provided to an individual, population-based services promote the health of the overall community by preventing disease. A classic example of the population-based approach is the removal of lead from gasoline, as opposed to the diagnosing and treating of lead poisoning. Relative to sexual and reproductive health, DPH needs to focus on the population-based approach of working with community stakeholders to assure services, evaluating teen pregnancy data, and educating teens so that unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases are avoided.

DPH informed Northeast patients that the following five area providers have agreed to receive them immediately at the eight locations below:

ARC - Children & Families First
2005 Baynard Blvd., Wilmington, DE 19802

ARC - Children & Families First
1802 W 4th St., Wilmington, DE 19805

Christiana Care Center for Reproductive Health
Medical Arts Pavilion 2
4735 Ogletown-Stanton Rd., Suite 1204
Newark, DE 19713

Henrietta Johnson Medical Center
601 New Castle Ave., Wilmington, DE 19801

Henrietta Johnson Medical Center
700 Lea Blvd., Suite 201, Wilmington, DE 19802

Planned Parenthood Health Center
625 Shipley St., Wilmington, DE 19801

Westside Family Healthcare
908 B E 16th St., Wilmington, DE 19802

Westside Family Healthcare
1802 West 4th St., Wilmington, DE 19805

Delaware Health and Social Services is committed to improving the quality of the lives of Delaware's citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations.