Health Department moves some services from Biloxi to Gulfport

BILOXI -- Some services at the state Health Department's County Health Department clinic in Biloxi have been moved to the clinic in Gulfport.

A sign on the door on the building on Esters Boulevard in Biloxi, which was locked Tuesday afternoon, says:

"Office closed for clinic services. Please call the Harrison County Health Department (Gulfport Office) for assistance and/or services at: 1102 45th Ave. Gulfport MS, 39501, 228-863-1036."

A Health Department spokeswoman said the office is open for "environmental, child care, early intervention and disease investigation" services. She said that change has been in effect for months.

Prior notice

"The maternity operations like maternity, and family planning, immunizations and prenatal high risk management have been moved to Gulfport," said Liz Sharlot, director of the department's Office of Communications. "The public was notified. We have patients. We notified our patients. This happened about four months ago."

She said that change has nothing to do with widespread changes in Health Department operations throughout the state that are the result of fewer patients needing the services. She said details of those changes would be released next week.

The department spokeswoman said the county clinics across the state have been losing patients since more people are gaining coverage under the Affordable Care Act and Medicaid managed care.

"Our patient loads have seriously declined throughout the state," Sharlot said. "Along with that, we have had decreasing revenue. So like any business, we have had to face the situation and we have been working many months on different plans."

She said the plans are based on patient flow, use of service and use of clinics.

Better care

"The plan will help us be more efficient and effective and will help us meet our budget," she said. "We have clinics no one is going to and services that are no longer needed."

She said 50 people statewide have been laid off as part of that restructuring. She said most Health Department clinics would remain open but some would have reduced hours. She said she didn't expect any changes to be made until February.

She said everyone in Mississippi will have access to "core public health services." But, she said, the emphasis will be on preventive rather than direct patient care.

This story was originally published January 5, 2016 at 9:48 PM with the headline "Health Department moves some services from Biloxi to Gulfport ."