Dozens Laid Off From Local Hospitals

The nation’s economic turmoil is effecting health care in the Borderland. Dozens of hospital employees are without jobs.

Officials with the Sierra Providence Health Network are not saying who exactly got laid off or how the staff reductions will affect its three Borderland hospitals.

Health care workers we spoke with say they’re not surprised by the decision. “It’s a given especially the way the economy is, but I think it’s only going to get worse,” said Rebekah Guillen, who works in the emergency room at Providence Memorial Hospital.

About 50 health care workers will have to find employment elsewhere.

In a statement sent to ABC-7, Sierra Providence Health Network officials explained, “the demand for services shifted”.

Reportedly the layoffs are mainly non-clinical positions at the hospitals.

Officials said, “We want to assure everyone that our hospital remains fully staffed to provide high-quality health care services that meet and exceed the needs of our community.”

Employees at Providence Memorial Hospital, also part of the Health Network, said any kind of staff reduction is disappointing, but understandable. “It’s is tough times, so we have to adjust,” explained Hilario Martinez, who is a licensed vocational nurse at Providence.

A concern for some employees is how the workload will be affected.

“That would be more patients for one nurse and less patient care for them, so it’s going to be tough if that happens,” said Viridiana Enriquez, who works as a nursing assistant at Providence’s oncology department.

“It is kind of sad because now there’s going to be added help from the nurses, CNAs now being responsible for maybe those duties,” explained Guillen.

Despite attempts to get clarification from hospital officials, many questions remain unanswered.