POTSDAM -- St. Lawrence Health System says it is eliminating 46 positions.

“We have informed our staff and board members that an additional 46 positions will be eliminated. Of those, the majority are either part-time, per diem, or temporary jobs,” Chief Executive Officer and President David Acker stated. “For those effected, health insurance coverage will be continued through August 31, as appropriate.”

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced St. Lawrence Health System (SLHS) to make some difficult staffing decisions over the past few months.

In mid-April 427 employees were temporarily furloughed and at the end of June 25 of those positions were permanently eliminated; all of which were full-time and temporarily furloughed, primarily at the management level. The majority of the remaining furloughed employees have been, or will be recalled back into employment by the end of July.

“While there has been some improvement shown during recent months in our utilization, patient volumes for most services still remain below prior year activity and significantly less than budgeted forecasts,” Acker said.

By August 1, a total of 71 positions throughout SLHS will have been impacted in some way, including 30 employees who have left the System to take other employment locally or to relocate elsewhere.

“Virtually every major healthcare institution is taking actions to counter impacts that were almost unthinkable just a few months ago. All the steps we are taking are focused on ensuring our hospitals continue to offer the highest quality of care to our community well into the future,” Acker said.