By Associated Press
Montgomery, AL – When the Alabama Department of Public Health decided to close a Montgomery abortion clinic this summer, it was because of errors found in an August inspection -- the clinic's first in six years. And before inspections this fall, the last time Birmingham's New Woman All Women Health Care clinic was inspected was in July of 2004 and a Huntsville Planned Parenthood hadn't been checked since February of 2002. Alabama health officials have blamed the infrequent inspections on a lack of staff and trouble attracting new surveyors. But after a rash of problems this year, they say abortion clinics will now be inspected at least once annually. Diane Derzis directs the Birmingham clinic and says the increased inspections aren't only welcome but necessary in order for administrators to be informed about changes in health department expectations. Increased attention centered on clinics in the state when a health department investigation found a woman delivered a six-pound, stillborn baby in February after a nurse at Summit Medical Center in Birmingham gave her an abortion drug even though she was nearly full-term. State Health Officer Dr. Don Williamson said the stepped-up inspections are possible because of a slight staffing increase. But he said they'll also mean the department will shift attention from some of the other facilities it regulates, including hospices, home health agencies and dialysis centers.