The following eight hospital and health system layoffs and workforce reductions were covered by Becker's Hospital Review in the last two weeks. They are listed below by number of employees and/or positions affected.
1. Northern Berkshire Healthcare to End Operations, Lay Off 530
Northern Berkshire Healthcare in North Adams, Mass., closed North Adams Regional Hospital, its home health facility and its three hospital-owned physician practices. About 530 full- and part-time employees were affected.
2. Newman Regional Health Reduces Workforce
Emporia, Kan.-based Newman Regional Health plans to lay off 10 full-time and five part-time employees in a move to cut labor costs by 5 percent. In addition, the 53-bed hospital will leave five full-time and seven part-time positions vacant, and 29 Newman Medical Partners employees will have their hours reduced.
3. Palm Drive Hospital Braces for More Layoffs
Management at financially beleaguered Palm Drive Hospital in Sebastopol, Calif., held meetings notifying employees of possible layoffs. The layoff warnings come roughly two months after a round of layoffs at the hospital that affected 40 employees. This round will affect at least 50 employees.
4. Vista Health System to Shrink Billing Staff
Waukegan, Ill.-based Vista Health System is consolidating some of its business office functions, which could affect as many as 33 employees.
5. Layoffs Occur at St. Mary's Hospital Prior to Prime Takeover
Passaic, N.J.-based St. Mary's Hospital laid off or cut the hours of 30 employees. The workforce reduction comes as the hospital waits for state approval to be sold to Ontario, Calif.-based Prime Healthcare Services.
6. Beleaguered Lake Whitney Medical Center Shuts Down
Lake Whitney (Texas) Medical Center decided to close its doors after roughly a year of financial troubles and botched takeovers. The Whitney Hospital Authority board of directors voted to shutter the hospital, laying off the remaining 30 employees who were still there.
7. Cambridge Health Alliance to Lay Off 30
Cambridge (Mass.) Health Alliance plans to lay off 30 employees, including some managers. The layoffs are expected to improve efficiency and improve the safety-net system's financial position.
8. Mackinac Straits Health Lays Off 15
Mackinac Straits Health System in St. Ignace, Mich., laid off 15 employees and reduced the hours of eight others, effective April 1. The system is also leaving four positions empty and cutting the salaries of top managers by 5 percent. Employee benefits will also be restructured.