With DHEC break-up, what’s ahead for S.C. health services?
COLUMBIA, S.C. (WRDW/WAGT) - Two new agencies are poised to take the place of the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control as the agency splits.
The Department of Public Health will oversee DHEC’s remaining public health and health care quality programs, while the Department of Environmental Services will oversee air quality, coastal management, land and waste management.
The interim director of the new Department of Public Health held a news conference Monday morning to explain what DPH will do.
“Our name may change, but our commitment to serving and improving the lives of everyone in South Carolina is stronger than ever,” Dr. Edward Simmer said.
“We’re convinced we can and we will make South Carolina the healthiest state in the nation,” he said. ““We are about 45th in of overall health out of the 50 states, and that’s dreadful. We need to do much better than that.”
Simmer says when it comes to services like obtaining birth certificates … and requesting immunizations – the process will essentially be the same as it has been.
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Money for road and bridge improvements, raises for teachers and state employees, and income tax cuts are all in line to be funded in the next year in South Carolina.
But Simmer says the creation of this new agency gives them a top-down opportunity to evaluate how they’re operating and serving South Carolinians – and to improve it.
Simmer says that includes putting more resources into outreach and engagement efforts.
DPH will have more than 2,900 employees working in about 90 locations across the state.
The agency will consist of two core divisions, Health Promotion and Services and Healthcare Quality, both served by an istrative unit.
Health Promotion and Services will promote community health and well-being by protecting people from disease, illness and injury as well as providing access to quality care. It includes all public health departments and programs in South Carolina, including community engagement and health collaboration.
Healthcare Quality enhances patient safety and the quality of care by leading efforts to make health care in South Carolina safer, more accessible, equitable and of higher quality. This division will include community care and provider services, drug control and medical and emergency .
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Advocates say South Carolina has made progress in the last year to try to reduce suicides across the state. But there’s still more work to be done.
”On Day One, those we serve will not see any disruptions to the services that they depend on for good health and peace of mind thanks to our dedicated staff,” Simmer said. “Our employees have gone above and beyond to ready us for this transition and ensure that absolutely no one – not those we serve or our employees – falls through the cracks before, during and after this agency transition.”
On July 1, DPH can be found online at dph.sc.gov, and the main phone number will be 803-898-3300.
Further realignment of state agencies could still happen in the future.
A bill to merge six agencies into one – fell just short of reaching the governor’s desk this year.
But ers have pledged to renew their push next year.
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