118 Cape Cod Healthcare Employees Laid Off After Furlough

BARNSTABLE, MA — Three months ago, financial struggles from the coronavirus pandemic caused Cape Cod Healthcare to furlough nearly 600 employees. Most of those employees were brought back, but 118 people lost their jobs permanently, hospital officials announced Friday.

CEO Michael Lauf said the cuts included eight senior leadership positions, one alternative therapy nurse and four service level positions at Falmouth Hospital. Terminations affected every branch of the Cape Cod Healthcare network, Lauf said.

Senior executives, which make up about 20 employees, received 10 percent reductions to their pay for fiscal year 2021.

"This is an extremely difficult decision to make as Cape Cod Healthcare values each and every one of our employees," Lauf said. "As the safety net health care provider on Cape Cod, our commitment is to ensure safe, high quality, accessible care for our patients. These difficult personnel decisions represent our commitment to strengthen Cape Cod Healthcare for the future of our patients and our community as we continue in our fight against COVID-19, and our intention to remain an independent, community healthcare system."

Lauf said early restrictions mandated by Gov. Charlie Baker put Cape Cod Healthcare in rough financial shape because of restrictions on elective surgeries and outpatient care. Lauf said the revenue from those types of visits have not returned to pre-COVID-19 levels.

Still, Lauf said he's hopeful for the financial future of the hospitals.

"We're going to be strong because we're planning for the future," Lauf said. "I think this health system has done a lot right and think the community support is necessary to be where we are."

This article originally appeared on the Barnstable-Hyannis Patch