BUTLER — The state Department of Health Center in Butler County will absorb the centers in neighboring Beaver and Armstrong counties, which officials say will improve services and save millions in state money.

The consolidation of the two health centers into the Butler facility in the Monarch Building on Brugh Avenue began in May, said state Department of Health spokesman Aimee Tysarczyk.

The core services provided by the state health centers are STD/HIV services, disease investigations, immunizations, and tuberculosis screening and case management. They do not provide primary care services such as treatment of sore throats, high blood pressure and heart disease.

Under the consolidation plan, 26 of the 60 state health centers will merge with neighboring centers. The plan is expected to save about $3.4 million statewide.

The state has closed seven health centers, and plans to close 17 more by the end of September.

Tysarczyk stressed that Beaver and Armstrong clients will not have to leave their counties to get services since staff members will go into communities there instead of clients traveling to the centers.

“This new model allows the department to take advantage of well-attended senior fairs, legislative-sponsored health expos and other community health events,” Tysarczyk said. “We will ensure that these events are regularly scheduled and in places where people can easily find us.”

Nurses and other staff from the Beaver and Armstrong county centers will now have offices in the Butler County center.

She said health center staff members will travel to schools, community centers, fairs, fire halls, churches and health clinics to provide services, and will continue to see patients at their homes if needed in all three counties.

Tysarczyk said data showed that most clients were using state health center services in locations other than the actual center, so the practice was expanded upon.

“We know that we reach more people when we provide greater access via community events,” Tysarczyk said. “We are now increasing the number of regularly scheduled events in communities to provide greater access.”

She said clients in Armstrong and Beaver counties can contact the Butler health center to find out what events are near them.

Regarding staff changes in the merger, Tysarczyk said no nurses were furloughed at any of the health centers.

“There are more than 100 community health nurses on the job at state health centers, and they will remain on the job,” Tysarczyk said.

She said factors that weighed into the merger plan included:

• 77 percent of operational costs were tied into leases, not services

• Many centers have few walk-in clients. Beaver County averaged three or four walk-in clients per week, and one a week in Armstrong County

• Many clients have transportation issues and cannot get to a health center

• Many state health centers have unused or unnecessary space.

“We believe we will operate more efficiently over time and increase access to services to communities across the state,” Tysarczyk said.