Ellwood City Medical Center Facing Layoffs Amid Closure Of Emergency Room
ELLWOOD CITY, Pa. (KDKA) -- Nearly 100 people are being laid off amid the closure of the emergency room at the Ellwood City Medical Center.
The emergency room was shut down last week by the State Department of Health, which said there were serious violations.
Sources told KDKA a CT scan machine malfunctioned at the hospital and the area was evacuated.
"heartbreaking for our community," Ellwood City Mayor Anthony Court said. "I personally sick over this whole situation."
KDKA's Lisa Washington says 92 people -- more than half of the employees at the medical center -- have been laid off.
"At one time, I believe this hospital employed 475 workers. But with this latest layoff, we're under 100 employees here," Court said.
State Rep. Aaron Bernstine is now trying to assist those 92 people who find themselves without a job before the holidays.
Rep. Bernstine told Lisa Washington his office is coordinating some services such as helping these former employees file for unemployment claims and setting up payment plans with the electric company. There will also be an job fair.
A statement from the medical center said they hope the layoffs are temporary. They are also hoping to repair or replace the CT scan machine.