Health Department Cuts Services At Molino Clinic

May 5, 2009

The availability of some medical services at the Molino location of the Escambia County Health Department have been cut from weekly to one day per month on a temporary basis.

molinohealth.jpgThe decreased services in May and June are due to the early and unexpected retirement of a health department doctor, according to Molly Payne-Hardin, spokesperson for the Escambia County Health Department.

The nurse practitioner that normally sees patients in Molino has been moved to the main Fairfield Drive location of the health department due the doctor’s retirement, she said. Additionally, Payne-Hardin said the department must wait to see what happens to their budget before replacing the retired doctor.

“It’s too soon to say when we will be able to find another doctor,” she said. “We may have to fill the need with a nurse practitioner.”  Regardless, she said, the health department hopes to return regular services to Molino soon.

The impacted services include family planning, sexually transmitted disease services and physical exams that require the services of a doctor or nurse practitioner.  The Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program, immunization and dental services offered at the Molino Clinic have not changed, Payne-Hardin said.

“We hope this is a temporary change until the state budget is finalized and we know our funding for the coming year,” said Health Department Director Dr. John Lanza. “Again, this only affects clinic services such as family planning and school physicals –- our dental, immunization and WIC services remain the same.”

The medical services at the Molino Clinic will be available on May 7 and a day not yet determined in June. For more information, or to schedule an appointment, call 595-6500.

Comments

9 Responses to “Health Department Cuts Services At Molino Clinic”

  1. Lana B. on May 6th, 2009 8:56 pm

    You are right, the WIC office in Century is no longer offering shots through the FL Shots progam but youcan get them at Century Family Practice in the old Century Hospital Building. It is the same program and the immunizations are free you just have to call to make an appointment. I take my kids there now. At least we can still get our kids their shots up here.

    It’s a shame that Health Dept dental bus won’t come to Century any more. They go all over Pensacola where there are plenty of dentists. We don’t have one up here. The last time I saw it up here they were parked way at the back of the old health dept building like they were hiding or something.

  2. windy on May 6th, 2009 11:45 am

    i agree with all, florida should give north escambia to alabama

  3. Dixie8245 on May 5th, 2009 5:22 pm

    Has anyone notice the birth rate in Century since the closing of that office? Imagine what is going to the rest of the communities when they shut this one down too. I agree with you all. What are we going to do now? They claim that they don’t have a Doctor up here? There has not been one at the clinic in 20 years only the Nurses care for people. And there is a change in the immunizations. WIC does not give immunizations! Again, just imagine the outbreaks in many areas of health care for the Northend. Hum?

  4. Concerned parent on May 5th, 2009 1:39 pm

    I’m also wondering why in the world they would cut treatment of STDs anywhere. If they make it harder for someone to get treatment, doesn’t it make sense that they will just be spreading them to more people?

  5. PSC on May 5th, 2009 1:21 pm

    everyone is right here…the only low income clinic is almost downtown Pensacola… Alabama has several clinics in Brewton, Atmore, Uriah and in Frisco City.. why is nothing here for the northend Escambia Fl. residence? But yet we all pay our taxes for all of Pensacola to get it all. Why do we have to go to Pensacola to do anything? Why can’t we have this stuff brought here maybe once a week or so? NO, we have to go to Alabama to get medical or dental help…

    Guess we should be satisfied with the new social security online in Century!!!

    Hey, if all the Alabama kids “STILL” going to be able to come into northwest ,Fl School systemshould move to Northwest FL and help us pay taxes…YOU THINK ?

  6. mommyof2beautifulgirls on May 5th, 2009 1:04 pm

    what else is new..i agree with the “concerned parent”…we are screwed if we live way out here in molino and the other surrounding cities..this economy doesn’t get any better there’s going to be no medical care for any one that can’t afford it.

  7. Concerned parent on May 5th, 2009 12:42 pm

    They don’t give a hoot about Cantonment either. If you are north of 9 Mile Road, you’re just screwed.

  8. Walnut Hill Resident on May 5th, 2009 9:33 am

    Well it is going as planned for the north end we are getting shut down on everything. Poor working people and country people have never had any advantages. They want all of it in Pensacola and the rest of the county can go to you know where. All-for-one means what is good for the south end of Escambia county. North of Cantonement can forget anything that we need or want to have in this district. Pensacola doesn’t care about and never has and most of our elected officials are right there with them. Make sure the beaches get everything and forget the rest of the dumb country folks. They don’t need anything anyway. I am glad Jay Hospital is still there for the north end of Escambia county. Thank you Santa Rosa county for that. ELECT SOMEONE FROM THE NORTH END THAT TIME AROUND AND LETS SEE IF IT MAKES A DIFFERENCE.

  9. Former Operator on May 5th, 2009 7:24 am

    Same process as was used to shut down Century’s unit!

    Are poor, working, country people being pushed out?

    To take a drivers test u now have to make an appointment in Pessacola, then get there.

    No job training, no health dept, no hospital, what does all-for-one-mean?
    What’s next?