The Chatham-Kent Health Alliance (CKHA) is cutting 49 positions to help reduce its deficit.
Twenty-seven of the jobs are in the hospital's float pools. These are groups of healthcare professionals who work across various departments rather than being assigned to a single unit.
Staff levels in the float pools were at an all-time high due to the COVID-19 pandemic, as the virus increased the number of patients at a time when the position vacancy rate was at 15 per cent.
All positions being eliminated from the float pool were full-time. An additional five full-time positions and 17 part-time positions from various departments round out the remaining cuts.
“It is important for the hospital to use available resources as efficiently as possible. Our focus is on being responsible, thoughtful, and supportive of our people, while ensuring the hospital is structured for today’s realities and positioned to continue delivering safe, high-quality care into the future," said Adam Topp, President and CEO of the CKHA
Of the 49 positions being cut, 19 were already vacant. It's too early to say how many affected employees will be leaving the hospital, as there are currently 44 vacant positions.
Topp explained that layoffs are a last resort. Instead, the hospital is focusing on transfers, voluntary departures, and retirements.
“We are committed to achieving these reductions with minimal disruption to our staff," he explained.
Topp estimates it'll take about 6 months to get everything sorted. Since the CKHA's fiscal year starts on April 1, cost savings from the cuts won't be felt over the next 12 months. Afterward, the hospital is expecting to save around $3.5 million annually.
These cuts come roughly six months after the CKHA eliminated eight management positions.
Topp added it's still possible that there could be more cuts down the road as the hospital continues to tackle its deficit.
