OGDENSBURG — Claxton-Hepburn Medical Center plans to cut about 4% of its staff.

Hospital officials say the move is necessary to ensure long-term viability and success,

In light of decreasing patient volumes caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, changing demographics, and an evolving market, Claxton-Hepburn Medical Center (CHMC) and Carthage Area Hospital (CAH) will implement workforce measures to control expenses, a press release said. The reduction is the first in the workforce since 2015 for CHMC and 2014 for CAH.

“At the start of the pandemic in 2020, we furloughed some of our workforces and offered early retirement to others. The continued erosion of revenue caused by the pandemic and other factors place us in a challenging position,” states Richard Duvall, CEO & President of CAH & CHMC, “It’s a time for difficult decisions to keep these hospitals in their local communities. We are not the only healthcare institutions dealing with these issues or reductions, but we want to be transparent that we are doing all we can to stop further impacts on our workforce.”

The workforce reduction could potentially affect 4% of employees at both hospitals, and its affiliate, Meadowbrook Terrace Assisted Living Facility.

“This decision is not made easily, nor taken lightly,” says Duvall, “Every effort to increase revenues and reduce costs by any other means has been exhausted. CHMC and CAH have taken deliberate approaches to examine solutions that balance employee benefits and the financial health of the organizations. We have created cooperative programs, shared staff, and cut back on spending. Employee cuts are a final resort, and one that we know will impact the lives and families of dedicated employees that serve our communities.”

“We need to meet the needs of those we serve,” said Duvall, “and they have different needs than they have had in the past. Both Claxton-Hepburn and Carthage are willing to adapt to the market needs and accommodate what patients want in their healthcare.”

He said the hospitals are focused on the continued evaluation of their financial situations and that the reductions will not disrupt services for the institutions.