Sussex County Health Department

Newsome Human Services Building
20103 Princeton Road
P.O. Box 1345
Sussex, Virginia 23884
Telephone: (434) 246-8611 Fax: (434) 246-8610
District Headquarters Telephone: (804) 863-1652

Our hours are: 8:15 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday

Alton Hart Jr., MD, MPH, District Director

Mission Statement
Working together to foster healthy communities through disease prevention & control, health promotion, environmental protection and emergency preparedness & response.

Click here for Health Profile information for Sussex County

Eligibility requirements vary depending on the service provided. Some services are free, some are a flat fee and others are based on a sliding fee scale. Sliding fee scale means that in general, the more income you have, the larger the fee you pay for services. Financial eligibility is determined annually and whenever there is a change in financial status. You must have identification and proof of income when services are provided.

Health Services

Immunization Clinic

• Walk-in clinics are held each Monday from 1:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
• There is no charge for routine childhood immunizations
• Parent or guardian must accompany children under age 18
• Must bring history/record of immunizations
• Sussex County Health Department follows the schedule of immunizations recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Special school based immunization clinics are provided periodically

Childhood Lead Poisoning

Children under six years of age who are at risk of lead poisoning are referred to their primary care provider for lead testing. A health educator offers case management and educational services to families of children with elevated lead levels.

Communicable Disease Services

• Foodborne illness investigations
• Vaccine preventable disease investigations
• Tuberculosis screening and tuberculin skin testing
• Tuberculosis treatment and follow-up
  • We provide directly observed medication therapy in the patient's home.
• Tuberculosis contact investigations
• Education for individuals and the community
• Disease specific counseling
• Community resource referrals

Sexually Transmitted Disease Services (STD)

• Medical services including diagnosis and treatment
• Education and counseling

HIV Services

• Free confidential testing and counseling
• Anonymous testing sites can be accessed by calling the Virginia Department of Health and AIDS Hotline at 1-800-533-4148.

Medication assistance for protease inhibitors, antiretrovirals etc., is available based on eligibility criteria through the AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) administered by the Virginia Department of Health.

Family Planning

Provides physical examinations, counseling regarding methods of birth control, sexual responsibility, risk reduction and prevention for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and AIDS. Instruction on breast self exams. Birth control method of choice is provided. Persons under 18 may be eligible for free services.

Pregnancy Testing

Available by appointment. There is a charge for this service.

Maternity

Comprehensive prenatal care including periodic physical exams, lab testing, assessment of weight, blood pressure and nutritional counseling.

WIC (Women, Infants and Children Program)

Supplemental food program for children from birth to age 5 and pregnant and breast-feeding women. Services provided include nutritional counseling/instruction and supportive services for breast-feeding mothers.

Environmental Health Services

Restaurant inspections and permits.

• Permitting (Annual restaurant permit - $40; Restaurant plan review - $40).
• Includes schools, temporary food events, child care centers, adult homes and nursing homes. Click here for copy of Temporary Food Permit Application
• Complaint investigation

Food Facility Training Courses

• ServSafe (Managers - $200)
• Basic food safety courses and occasional cook - $35

Well and sewage disposal permitting

• Permitting (Well fee - $300 / Septic fee - $425)
• Soil evaluations/inspections
• Complaint investigations

Rabies prevention

• Specimen collection for testing
• Animal bite investigations/management

Motel/Hotel inspections--swimming pool inspections

• Permitting (Annual hotel/motel permit - $40; Hotel/motel plan review - $40)

Health hazard and general environmental complaint investigation

Vital Records

Provides information and forms to utilize in securing birth certificates and establishments of paternity. Issues death certificates for all deaths occurring in the city/county. Death certificates cost $12 per certified copy.

Birth certificates can be obtained through the Office of Vital Records in Richmond. There is a $12 charge per copy.

Vital Records are provided each day 8:15 -11:45 a.m. and 1:00-5:00 p.m.

• Promotion of early detection
• Group education programs
• Health fairs

Community Activities

• Health education/public awareness programs
• School based health information/education programs
• Health fairs

Nursing Home Screening 

• Preadmission screening process for individuals seeking Medicaid coverage of long term care services. Requests for screenings need to be made through the Department of Social Services.
• In home assessment by a registered nurse and a social worker.
• Identification of local community resources
• Contact your local Department of Social Services for an appointment

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