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Sudden Layoffs at Children's HospitalOn Wednesday, July 2, 2008, a large number of employees at Children's Hospital Oakland were terminated, leading to the cancellation of many children's surgeries. The canceled surgeries were then rescheduled, but medical appointments were cancelled as upset workers worried about the future care of their small patients.Officials criticized Children's Hospital Oakland for the sudden employee terminations and the planned restructuring of services for outpatients that is hoped to save the hospital $10 million per year. David Kears, director of the Alameda County Health Care Services Agency said, "You don't drop this sort of major decision. That is why people are outraged. This ought to be vetted in an open forum. We should have known this months ago." Officials believe this could seriously affect thousands of children, especially poor children that receive government assistance. Dr. Anthony Iton met with his staff on Wednesday, July 2, 2008 to attempt to gauge the impact. He said, "To hear about this in blunt, sudden fashion is unprecedented. We're in the dark and that is inappropriate." Physicians and hospital staff members were upset by the sudden termination of colleagues. They quickly set out to fill the gaps created, alerting patients about services that had been discontinued. Many hospital staff members immediately looked for alternative treatment facilities for patients, especially for children from low-income families who receive state financial assistance. The hospital laid off 100 employees altogether that filled 84 full-time health care positions, including three doctors and a medical director. A spokesperson for the hospital said the hospital could not yet provide a count of the layoffs by program or department. ![]() |