Department of Health Satellite Clinic Set to Open in Lower Township

VILLAS – Access to health care services is an ongoing challenge to the New Jersey health care system. With a physician shortage, aging population and a growing prevalence of chronic disease, the lack of accessible and convenient public health services is critical.
To help meet the need for greater access to health services and bridge gaps in patient care, while also improving care coordination, Freeholder Kristine Gabor announced that the Cape May County Department of Health will now be providing clinical services in Lower Township. Public health clinics will be held at the Lower Township Senior Center located at 2612 Bayshore Rd. in Villas. Clinics are to be scheduled by appointment for the first and third Thursday of each month starting at 2:30 p.m. until 5:30 p.m.
“Historically, the Lower Township Senior Center has been one of our sites for the flu vaccination clinics and we will continue to do so this season with our Senior Flu Clinic scheduled 10/8/14 from 1p.m. to 4 p.m. We realize there is a need to expand clinical services in the county making it more convenient for clients living in or near this area to have access to public health care,” said Kevin Thomas, public health coordinator.
The first clinic to open this fall is for Family Planning services which provide high quality, low cost, confidential services to men and women from teen to adult
ages. The clinic provides services including one-on-one counseling, health screenings for cervical, breast, and colorectal cancer, examinations, education about healthy behaviors such as nutrition and smoking cessation, screenings for Sexually Transmitted Infections including HIV, contraception and pregnancy testing.
“With this service expansion, the Department of Health can now play an even more valuable role in helping residents get, stay and live well. We will offer other clinics in the near future to include cancer screenings for the uninsured through our Cancer Education and Early Detection Program as well as blood pressure, diabetes, and cholesterol screenings and education” Thomas added.
For more information or to schedule an appointment, please call (609) 465-1194.