The town hall meeting was just to pacify the employees. The prospect of layoffs in the coming months prompted a flurry of job-hunting activity among Humboldt Home Health workers, said Rose. St. Joseph officials estimate that 15 positions, primarily in administration, will be eliminated from the new Northern California home health system. Those who lose their jobs will receive severance packages and help finding new positions. Job status is one thing.
Patient care is another.
However, the latest cutbacks have caregivers concerned that there will be a reduction in the number of visits or the geographic areas served, particularly the service to patients in remote areas. St. Joseph is not alone in operating in the red. Mad River Community Hospital Administrator Doug Shaw said its home health program figures are under review. St. Joseph CEO Martin told home health workers on June 3 that the new consolidated system would use an 800-number for referrals, in addition to a local number, which particularly angered some physicians. Gans spoke of the growing importance of home health in an era of shorter hospital stays.