Angelina Hofmann said the Seminole County Health Department was the only place she had to turn to when she needed medical treatment before the birth of her two boys.

But as of earlier this month, the county’s health department is no longer offering prenatal care.

“I think it’s an inconvenience because a lot of people know they can come to the health department if they have no where else to go,” said Hofmann.

The director of the health department said the agency had to make the cut in service after millions of dollars in budget cuts at the state and federal level. 

Felicia Embry went to the health department for treatment before the birth of her two kids. She’s expecting her third child now, but when she went to the health department Monday, she was sent elsewhere.

“I was real shocked because they said they just started doing it about a week and a half ago, so I was expecting to come here and get something accomplished today and now I have to go a little further,” said Embry.

Health department officials said expecting mothers will still be able to get assistance, but they’ll now be referred to services at other locations. 

“We are pleased to announce the partnership with Heathrow OB/GYN and Central Florida Regional Hospital to ensure mothers and babies receive quality care and live long healthy lives,” said Dr. Swannie Jett, health officer of the Florida Department of Health in Seminole County.  “Infant mortality is an important indicator of the health of a community because these children are its most vulnerable members, and therefore their rate of mortality reflects the overall quality of life for a population. As a public organization it is our job to build partnerships that facilitate access to quality health care.”

“It is going to be a further drive, but you have to do what you have to do,” said Embry, who lives conveniently close to the health department but further away from the hospital.

Health officials in Seminole said they’ll still be offering basic family planning services. They’ll also still see current prenatal patients up until 34 weeks, when they’ll be transitioned to the service at the hospital.