(Fox 11 Online)
GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — An area hospital system says it will be reducing its workforce due to changes the COVID-19 pandemic has brought to healthcare.
Hospital Sisters Health System (HSHS) said earlier this year, the pandemic forced hospitals to focus on fighting the virus, causing them to temporarily put off elective procedures and other forms of care.
This saw a significant decline in the number of patients coming into HSHS facilities, leading to negative financial impacts. As a result, some employees were furloughed and executive pay reductions were done.
When HSHS was able offer elective procedures again, it saw a rebound of patients coming for care, allowing for the majority of employees who were furloughed, to come back to work.
Unfortunately, HSHS says it cannot bring back all of its employees and have a strong, stable future.
The approximate 10% workforce reduction will be across its system in Wisconsin and Illinois.
A statement on behalf of Hospital Sisters Health System (HSHS) was released Friday:
“Hospital Sisters Health System continues to stand proudly behind its entire staff that is providing critically important services as the communities we serve deal with COVID-19. Earlier this year, the pandemic shifted how patients preferred or were allowed to use their local health care services and HSHS saw a significant decline in the number of patients coming to our facilities. That led to negative financial impacts, and we had to make changes to our workforce including furloughs and executive pay reductions across our system.
Now that we are able to offer elective procedures again, and are seeing a rebound in the number of patients coming to us for care, we were recently able to invite the majority of colleagues who were furloughed earlier this year back to work. Sadly, we are unable to bring back all of our furloughed colleagues. In order to provide the best chance for a strong, stable future for HSHS through and after this unpredictable pandemic, we have made the difficult decision to reduce approximately 10% of our workforce across Illinois and Wisconsin. We are immensely grateful to these colleagues for their service to our ministries and the exceptional care they’ve provided to our patients, and we ask that you please keep all of them, as well as their families, in your hearts and prayers as they face this added challenge.
At HSHS, we are grateful to our patients, colleagues and communities for their understanding and support during this challenging time. Despite this period of significant change, we remain deeply committed to providing high-quality care and making a positive difference in the lives of all, throughout all communities we serve.”
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