Landmark Issues Statement Regarding Layoffs

Some staff members at Landmark Medical Center in Woonsocket have been laid off this week and in a statement this afternoon, representatives would not comment on how many total employees would be affected by staff reductions, stating only that the list was "small."

According to the press release, the layoffs come as the result of continued efforts to streamline the hospitals’ operations and align staffing levels with current patient volume.  While the workforce reduction will entail the discontinuation of outpatient therapy services at the Atwood Therapy location in Johnston, RI, a spokesman for the hospital said it will in no way diminish the quality of care provided at either Landmark or the Rehabilitation Hospital.  Patients that are currently being treated at the Atwood Therapy location will be contacted to arrange continued care at other Landmark locations.

“The staff reductions we are announcing today have long been expected and were publicly discussed during the court supervised mastership process.  Like all hospitals we must continuously identify ways the hospital can run more efficiently while maintaining high quality patient care,” said Richard Charest, President of Landmark Medical Center and the Rehabilitation Hospital of Rhode Island.

Judge Michael Silverstein of Landmark Medical Center to Steward Health Care System of Boston at the end of May and according to Bill Fischer of True North Communications, the deal is moving along on schedule.

"Under the Hospital Conversion Act , we must submit applications to the Attorney General and the Department of Health. It is a multi-month process," said Fischer. Hospital officials are still working on the applications which will then be reviewed by state regulators.

"This has nothing to do with Steward," said Fischer. "This comes from Landmark and the receivership process."

The staff reductions will occur throughout the hospitals and will affect both union and non-union employees.  Affected employees will receive advice from the Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training.

No one from the union which represents between 500 and 600 nurses at the hospital, United Nurses and Allied Professionals (UNAP,) could be reached for comment.

Both the Department of the Attorney General and the Department of Health have been notified of the staff reduction plan.

UPDATE: UNAP General Counsel Chris Callaci has reportedly told The Call that a collective bargaining agreement signed with Steward acknowledged that up to 75 positions could be cut before the sale is complete.