Fewer patients means fewer workers at Westerly Hospital

Dale P. Faulkner, Westerly Sun, May 18, 2011 Westerly - The layoff of 29 employees of The Westerly Hospital was scheduled to begin today, and an additional 59 employees will have their hours reduced. Additionally, 20 open positions will be eliminated. Hospital officials said Tuesday that they are bringing staff levels in line with the demand for services. "What we're doing is staffing to what our true volumes are," said Margaret Austin, vice president for clinical services. Before the layoffs, the hospital had 859 full- and part-time employees, equating to 613 full-time equivalents. ... Fewer