Poway, CA –  Palomar Health is a public health district with a principle to care for the community. Recently, the Public Health Board of Directors and Palomar Health management made the decision to move forward with temporary layoffs of nurses and healthcare workers in the middle of a public health crisis. At least 83 registered nurses and 63 were given such temporary layoffs. Palomar Health has failed to provide an accurate list of affected employees and, therefore, the union fears the number of laid off employees is growing and much larger than reported. Additionally, Palomar has stated health insurance benefits of affected employees may be revisited if temporary layoffs are extended, leading to the end of PalomarHealth provided benefits for these employees. Front line providers have been caring for patients during this pandemic and need appropriate healthcare coverage to remain safe.

Layoffs come on the heels of Palomar Health announcing the opening of a 250 bed FEMA field hospital while healthcare workers have been struggling to obtain the proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to provide safe patient care and maintain necessary airborne precautions to ensure that nurses and caregivers do not spread the infection to patients, their families, and the community. Laying off essential healthcare workers is not in line with preparing for the surge.

WHO: Palomar Health registered nurses and healthcare workers and members of California Nurses Association and Caregivers and Healthcare Employees Union

WHAT: Action and RN media availability to speak out about recent layoffs and lack of PPE and other protections for frontline healthcare workers

WHERE:  Palomar Medical Center, Poway: 15615 Pomerado Rd. Poway, CA

(Nurses will be gathering on the sidewalk at the Pomerado Rd stop light intersection to main entrance to the Hospital. Parking is available on site.)

WHEN: Monday, April 13 from 8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.

If you are interested in sending a camera crew to the press conference or in learning more about the situation at Palomar Health, registered nurses will be available for the press.