In an apparent flap over personnel matters, St. John’s Morris deCastro Clinic employees staged a sickout Tuesday forcing the facility to suspend some services.
"Significant efforts and resources are being tapped to address this unfortunate situation," Health Commissioner Julia Sheen-Aaron said in a prepared statement.
According to Sheen-Aaron, a "substantial" number of employees did not report to work. An informed source said the job action occurred as a result of a conflict between clinic management and staff.
Health Department spokesman Eunice Bedminster said Sheen-Aaron would have no further comment on the matter because it is under investigation.
Morris deCastro Administrator Ronnie Jones said he couldn’t comment either, other than to say that Women’s Health, Mental Health and Immunization sections of the clinic were closed Tuesday. He said Emergency Medical Services and the Women, Infants and Children areas remained open.
Clinic employees could not be reached for comment.
St. John Administrator Leona Smith got several calls from Morris deCastro patients. She said she walked over to the clinic Tuesday morning and found about 10 people waiting for the staff to show up.
"The door was locked," she said.
Sheen-Aaron said normal clinic operations are expected to resume Wednesday.
Those in need of emergency medical attention should call 911 or go directly to the Myrah Keating Smith Community Health Center.
Sheen-Aaron urged clients with scheduled appointments affected by the closure to reschedule them.
To reschedule an appointment, call 776-6400.
