Mass Layoff: California Hospital Closes maternity ward and lays off staff.

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Southwest Healthcare's Palmdale Regional Medical Center in California has recently laid off 87 employees, as reported in WARN documents filed with the state on November 14. This decision follows the closure of the hospital’s maternity services due to lower-than-anticipated utilization by the community.

Located north of Los Angeles, the 184-bed hospital had expanded its maternity services in 2021, including the addition of a NICU and obstetrical emergent care services. However, the facility announced online that it experienced insufficient demand for these services, leading to the suspension of the maternity unit on October 30.

In response to the closure, the hospital plans to convert the maternity unit into a medical-surgical unit. Palmdale Regional Medical Center has encouraged all terminated employees to apply for other open positions within the organization.

Sources: https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/finance/california-hospital-closes-maternity-ward-lays-off-87.html