Union: HealthAlliance to layoff at least 20 FTEs in Leominster

HealthAlliance Hospital in Leominster plans to layoff the equivalent of at least 20 full-time workers, according to the union representing nurses.

The Massachusetts Nurses Association (MNA) said the staff reductions would affect 20 registered nurses and an undisclosed number of support staff positions in the emergency department. HealthAlliance also plans to merge the pediatric and maternity units and increase patient assignments for nurses on the night shift, according to the MNA.

“The reorganization of the Leominster Hospital campus is a deliberate attempt to cut costs by creating a lesser standard of care for patients,” the MNA said in a statement.

A memo Wednesday from HealthAlliance CEO Deborah Weymouth said the layoffs will take place between now and the end of the fiscal year Sept. 30. HealthAlliance spokeswoman Kelli Rooney said the hospital in still determining how many workers will be impacted by the layoffs.

Rooney said the hosptial’s pediatrics unit currently cares for an average of just two patients per day. Moving the unit to maternity was initially suggested by staff nurses, she said, and will align clinical care and improve staffing synergies.

The MNA, however, said they are concerned about what HealthAlliance has communicated to the state’s Department of Public Health about the changes, and said the changes go against what professional standards show is best.

The MNA claims increasing the patient assignments for nurses on the night shift from five to six raises the risk of death by seven to 14 percent. Rooney said night shift nurses will not always have six patients, and that no scientific evidence supports any particular patient-to-staff ratio.

The union also said it is considering filing unfair labor practice charges against HealthAlliance for failing to provide them with the consultant’s report upon which these decisions were based.