Families First Health and Support Center has experienced tremendous organizational change and growth since our beginnings as a prenatal clinic in 1984. Since then we have expanded our mission and range of services to meet community needs, as shown by the timeline below. Portsmouth Prenatal Clinic is established at Portsmouth Hospital to increase access to early and quality prenatal services.
Dr. Mark Chag of Harbour Women's Health, pictured, was our partner in providing prenatal care from 1984 to 2016. Parent-aide program begins to provide support to women who delivered babies through the Prenatal Clinic. Family Center opens.
Dr. Mark Chag of Harbour Women's Health, pictured, was our partner in providing prenatal care from 1984 to 2016. Parent-aide program begins to provide support to women who delivered babies through the Prenatal Clinic. Family Center opens.
Services
Below are directions to our Portsmouth office by car and then by public transportation. Services available in Portsmouth are listed under the Health Care, Dental Care, Insurance and Family Center menus. We also offer mobile health and dental clinics. Families First's Portsmouth, NH, office is located in the Community Campus building - just north of Water Country, about half a mile west of Route 1.
Health Center Standby Appointments: For current patients only, standby appointments are offered Monday-Friday beginning at 8 a.m., as each day's schedule allows. Please call after 8 a.m. to reserve the next available time slot. Standby appointments are not available from noon to 1 p.m. any day, and also not available the second Wednesday of the month before 10 a.m.
A family practice and much more - that's what you'll find at Families First Health Center. Like all family doctors, we care for everyone - infants, children and adults, including seniors. We also offer: Prenatal Care, to help children get off to the best possible start in life. Families First saved my life!
Families First is not just another doctor's office. When you choose a primary care provider at Families First, you can access services you won't find everywhere - from dental care, to counseling, to parenting classes and more. And we go the extra mile to make it affordable and easy for you. 24/7 access to a nurse who can answer your questions and reach a Families First doctor if needed.
Families First is pleased to be able to offer in-house treatment of Hepatitis C to our established patients. Hepatitis C is a blood-borne virus primarily affecting the liver. The liver is responsible for breaking down nutrients, filtering blood, and fighting infection. More than 95% of people suffering from chronic Hepatitis C can be cured with modern treatment.
Reviews (10)
Harlee Odell
Dec 25, 2021
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I have been going here since I was pregnant.. after my pregnancy I have stressed to this practice MULTIPLE TIMES of my leg pain and back pain nobody listened to me or took me serious.I transferred from here to WDH for primary and they instantly took my problems very serious were I now suffer from numbness in my legs and spinal problems that are being take care of. families first is the WORST care.
S. Perkins
Sep 30, 2021
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Every nice people the front desk women are very helpful a agar to get appointments made. The doctors and nurse's are great nice and friendly and trustworthy. I hope this help y'all understand what a great place this is to get healthy. They also have dentists offices right there a d if you dont have insurance they have a sliding fee scail that helps the cost to be very cheap to nothing at all.
Ryan Santone
Apr 19, 2021
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After 2 years of waiting for them to accept new patients because they are the only dentist to accept my insurance, I was scheduled at 8:40am today. Finally right. And I show up at 8:10am in the parking lot and sit for 20 minutes and go in at 8:30am. Still 10 minutes early. I get in and get screened and I'm told instantly that I'm late. I'm late? Yeah they tell me I was scheduled at 8:10am. The front desk manager who scheduled my appointment made a mistake and would not do anything to correct it. I now have to wait longer and drive all the way back to that office. Which is not close to new at all
Shael Strata
Mar 01, 2021
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I went there some 20 years ago, when I was a new single, low income parent. I was going 2 have a baby all alone. The only thing that helped, was a birthing video I saw there, about the process. It made it seem impossible & scary.
I had the baby in a hospital. It was a horrible experience. But the baby & I went 2 this place 4 continued care, until baby was about 2 years old.
Back then, they had an exchange center, where anyone could bring unwanted kid/family stuff, & take something, if they needed something.
I LOVED that place, & volunteered there often randomly when I could. Volunteers needed
I had the baby in a hospital. It was a horrible experience. But the baby & I went 2 this place 4 continued care, until baby was about 2 years old.
Back then, they had an exchange center, where anyone could bring unwanted kid/family stuff, & take something, if they needed something.
I LOVED that place, & volunteered there often randomly when I could. Volunteers needed
John Fitzpatrick
Feb 16, 2021
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I went here myself for years when Dr. Samuel was there. He was such a kind, caring man and a great doctor. He was also my mothers Dr. When he left, I became very unhappy in the transition. Not only did it seemingly take forever for them to bring in a new doctor, but it seems the care from all involved there went downhill very fast. Communications between them and my pharmacy broke down and left me out of a very important medication a few months in a row. Phone calls weren't returned, and then when I had my last visit there, there still was no doctor to see me...but I sure still paid full price
Kristen M.
Feb 05, 2021
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I've been going to Families First for 3 years now and have had enough. Their PAs or nurse practitioners change too frequently. Don't get too comfortable with a provider because they might leave once you do. Also I made an appointment for my young son for the dentist (I am the only one who handles appointments in my family) And whoever entered the paperwork into their system made a mistake because I wasn't even in their system as a guardian and they refused to let me bring my own son into his appointment. They required I get permission from my ex husband just to reschedule an appointment even though
Carolyn Miller
Nov 14, 2019
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While I am still pleased with the medical care I receive, I am frustrated with trying to get a dental appointment.
I recently had a dental infection and was in extreme pain. The only option was to sit in the office and hope someone canceled. Not exactly something I wanted to do when I was in such pain. In fact, I don't think I was safe to drive. I ended up at Urgent Care where I got antibiotics.
I called later to make a follow up appointment and left a voicemail. I never received a call back. I called again, spoke with someone who was going to look something up for me. No return call yet.
I
I recently had a dental infection and was in extreme pain. The only option was to sit in the office and hope someone canceled. Not exactly something I wanted to do when I was in such pain. In fact, I don't think I was safe to drive. I ended up at Urgent Care where I got antibiotics.
I called later to make a follow up appointment and left a voicemail. I never received a call back. I called again, spoke with someone who was going to look something up for me. No return call yet.
I
Joshua Kaeble
Jun 15, 2019
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These people are amazing. I've only had the pleasure of using their dental services, but they're exceptional. It's been a long road, but today after many months of working on my teeth, they finally installed the crown. My #29 tooth had been hurting me tremendously for years and causing severe depression. It took a long time because there were other issues, but these folks really treated me rite and fixed my problems. Dr Fitz ( I believe is his name) is my dentist, and he is such a personable guy. He's also a spectacular dentist. His usual assistant is also an extremely nice person and very professional
Jack Jamison
Feb 01, 2018
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I became a medical patient here 13 years ago and a dental patient some years later. On day 1, I was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes and we quickly brought it under control.
Everyone is friendly and willing to help from the front desk on. They are community heath center and take virtually all insurance including medicare and medicaid. Self payers may qualify for their sliding scale based on income.
They offer free childcare during appointments, one only needs to make a prior reservation.
This is not a low cost, low quality operation; it is low cost, high quality. For example they use a electronic
Everyone is friendly and willing to help from the front desk on. They are community heath center and take virtually all insurance including medicare and medicaid. Self payers may qualify for their sliding scale based on income.
They offer free childcare during appointments, one only needs to make a prior reservation.
This is not a low cost, low quality operation; it is low cost, high quality. For example they use a electronic
Crystal Paradis
Sep 02, 2017
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The best dentists & hygenists I've found! I have incredibly sensitive teeth and usually fear going to the dentist. Most hygenists are pretty rough and I end up having a terrible time. Families First is the first place I've been where this is taken into account and handled thoughtfully and with sensitivity. I've been uninsured off and on, and sometimes when I have good insurance, I've tried other private practices and dentist offices. I always return to Families First because of the high quality of care. My primary care has been with Dr. Ruth James for over 5 years now, and I would not change my
