FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 7, 2021
For more information: Kristi Barnes | kristi.barnes@nysna.org | 646-853-4489
Anne Songcayauon | anne.songcayauon@nysna.org | 917-226-8570
Direct caregivers, community and elected officials demand quality care for our community
Kingston – Healthcare workers at Westchester Medical Center (WMC)’s HealthAlliance Hudson Valley Hospital are speaking out against the latest staffing cuts that have eliminated over 40 positions, including charge nurses and clinical leaders in the hospital.
WMCHealth officials have said that the cuts were to eliminate “redundancies.” However, bedside nurses are overwhelmed, as they have yet to be trained to handle some of the responsibilities previously handled by clinical leads who were laid off. Regardless, they now are taking on those responsibilities, as well as attending to their patient assignments, at a time when census is high. The cuts have also hit the emergency room, as WMC/HealthAlliance administrators have eliminated 4 mid-shift (9am- 11pm) positions from the Emergency Room, potentially increasing patient wait time and impacting the ability to provide quality patient care. Other direct caregivers are being stretched to the maximum.
Since 2020, Westchester Medical Center closed much needed inpatient mental health and detox services at HealthAlliance in Kingston. As WMC/HealthAlliance eliminates jobs, healthcare workers, elected officials, and community members are calling on HealthAlliance to make quality patient care a priority and stop the staffing cuts.
WHO: NYSNA, 1199 SEIU, Ulster County Executive Pat Ryan, Senator Michelle Hinchey, Assemblymember Kevin Cahill, community members, and more.
WHAT: Speak-out Against Staffing Cuts at HealthAlliance Hudson Valley; Make Quality Patient Care a Priority
WHEN: Wednesday, July 7, 2021, at 11:30 AM
WHERE: Kingston City Hall, 420 Broadway, Kingston, NY
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The New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA) represents more than 42,000 members in New York State. We are New York’s largest union and professional association for registered nurses. For more information, visit nysna.org.
