Area clinic to close

After 20 years of business, the Martinsville Planned Parenthood of Greater Indiana will close its doors Dec. 15.\nThe Martinsville clinic is one of three clinics scheduled to close this year, with others closing in Salem and New Castle.\nA statement released last month from Planned Parenthood of Greater Indiana, said after a demographic evaluation, the clinic was said to be unnecessary.\n"It was a difficult decision," said Vice President of Medical Services, Cathy Hansell, of the decision to close this clinic."But we're examining all areas of the agency and streamlining everything we do."\nTheresa Browning, Director of Communications for Planned Parenthood of Greater Indiana, said when looking at zip codes from which Planned Parenthood patients go, people were traveling elsewhere.\n"We found that Martinsville residents were driving to Bloomington and Indianapolis, for other services," Browning said. "Those that work in those cities also tend to seek services in these cities."\nBrowning also said confidentiality issues from living in a smaller community could also be another important factor in why people travel to other cities.\n"You want that sense of privacy," Browning said. "Running into your next door neighbor when you're at your local Planned Parenthood sometimes makes people uncomfortable."\nBecky Cockrum, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood of Greater Indiana, said more time and resources dispersed in a smaller number of clinics can better provide for patients.\n"We are investing our resources differently to best serve our clients, and we will be upgrading and adding services at existing and new locations," Cockrum said. "We're freeing up resources to increase professional healthcare hours and services." \nAccording to a press release, the other Indiana clinics will be open longer hours and more days of the week to allow for more patients to schedule appointments and have walk-ins.\nThe Bloomington clinic is one of the largest clinics in the state. Indiana offers 35 clinics in the state, making it one of the biggest Planned Parenthood states in the nation.\n"These are tough economic times for all non-profits," Cockrum said. "Planned Parenthood depends on patient fees and donations to meet its expenses. There are nearby sites open more days that could better serve these clients. It's the responsible thing to do."\n--Contact staff writer Lindsay Jancek at lmjancek@indiana.edu.