will lose 12 percent of its staff through a combination of layoffs, attrition and retirements. CHA will close six community health centers and will stop admitting patients overnight to
, although emergency services there will remain available. Officials there said the magnitude of current and future financing challenges, coupled with the soured economy have put their whole system in jeopardy, forcing the cuts.
“While extremely challenging and difficult for us all, by taking swift action now we hope to transform Cambridge Health Alliance’s health care system in a way that continues our mission of excellence,” said Mary Cassesso, chair of the CHA board of directors, in a statement.
will close by March 31. Inpatient medicine and surgery at Somerville Hospital will cease by June 15. Two of the eight psychiatry units will close, while one unit at Somerville hospital will move to
in Everett and another will move from Somerville to Cambridge Hospital. The plan also includes a hiring freeze and a capital spending freeze, an elimination of travel, and no raises for system executives.
Massachusetts Secretary of Health and Human Services Judy Ann Bigby said in a statement that, “For the past few months, we have been working with Cambridge Health Alliance to develop a shared understanding of the essential services they provide and explore ways we can work together to ensure the hospital’s long-term sustainability.”
CHA has scheduled several public forums Feb. 4-6 to review the impact on services. Officials said the goal of the plan is to provide for the most critical health care needs, while consolidating services to achieve economies of scale.