Enloe Health plans to cut some women’s healthcare services in November | News

Starting November 15, the women’s health services will be referring all patients who want women’s wellness exams to primary doctors. The reason for this is to open up appointment times for pregnant women and women with acute gynecology concerns.
CHICO, Calif. – Hundreds of Enloe patients received a letter Wednesday stating that some women’s health services will be cut.
We spoke with Enloe staff members about the decision, and they told us why the decision to cut services, according to Enloe, is actually an effort to provide more.
Starting November 15, the women’s health services will be referring all patients who want women’s wellness exams to primary doctors. The reason for this is to open up appointment times for pregnant women and women with acute gynecology concerns.
We spoke with several members in the OB-GYN department who say across our area and the state currently there are more pregnant women than services available.
“And we were having the experience where we’ve had to postpone or not be able to schedule appointments for pregnant people seeking care, and so we thought,; Okay, how can we make sure we get all of these people in a timely manner?’” midwife Liz Potter said.
To accommodate patients who need to be seen in a timely fashion, the staff is asking patients when it comes to routine visits to see their primary doctor.
“We have asked that patients see their primary for annual lab work, blood pressure checks, breast examination checks without a specific complaint — pretty much everything else we welcome — with open doors to be seen,” Doctor Celeste Bailey Pace said.

Obstetrician and gynecologist Dr. Bailey Pace says pap smears, STI screening, birth control inquiries, UTI testing, and a few other services are still on the table, and if a patient has an urgent gynecology issue, to come in and seek treatment. When it comes to wellness exams, Enloe staff says its team of primary doctors is experienced in conducting the routines.
“I’m very capable of managing well women exams; I deal with most gynecological issues as well; everything that a woman would need or want, I’m very capable of.” We’re accepting new patients over at Enloe, and I’m happy to provide the care that is needed,” primary physician Dr. Jennifer Aronchick said.
Enloe staff say they are hoping this will be temporary as they are actively recruiting for new providers.
Enloe Health says to reach out if you have questions or concerns, but there are still several clinics dedicated to women’s healthcare across the county.
Some of the clinics include Northern Valley Indian Health, the Women’s Health Center in Chico, the Oroville Women’s Health Clinic, and Butte County’s Public Health Clinics.
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