IU Health details layoffs at Blackford Hospital
Subscriber Benefit
As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe Now
Indiana University Health is outlining the impact on employees affected by its previously announced decision to close the emergency room and end inpatient services at IU Health Blackford Hospital.
In a notice to the state, the health system said the move will result in the layoffs of 84 employees, though some could potentially be reassigned.
In July, IU Health cited a reduction in patient volume as the reason for making the move at the Hartford City hospital, located about 80 miles northeast of Indianapolis.
The IBJ reported ER visits to Blackford Hospital have declined by 9% between 2014 and 2021, the oldest and most recent annual reports available from the Indiana Department of Health.
In its Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification provided to the Indiana Department of Workforce Development, dated Aug. 28, IU Health said patient volume projections at the hospital are not favorable.
“As a result, the new service model for IU Health Blackford Hospital will focus on the continuation of providing primary healthcare and outpatient services to meet the needs of Blackford County residents,” the health system said.
IU Health said it plans to begin layoffs on Nov. 3, and the affected employees do not have bumping rights and are not represented by a union.
“IU Health intends to offer opportunities for reassignment or redeployment, as well as severance and outplacement services to affected employees,” the health system said. “It is our hope that these transition programs will lessen the impact of the layoff on individual employees and on the community as a whole.”
Once the hospital completes the move, patients who require inpatient care and emergency services will need to travel to IU Health Ball Memorial Muncie, IU Health Jay Hospital in Portland, or Marion General Hospital in Marion.