Employees questioning layoffs at Trumbull hospitals after new owner pledged no cuts

More than two dozen employees have been laid off just weeks after a new operator took over two former Steward Health hospitals in Trumbull County.

Insight Health has insisted it's not scaling back any service, but 21 News has been contacted by several employees who said they were blindsided after learning by phone Friday they were being laid off immediately.

Trumbull County Commissioner Niki Frenchko told 21 News that she has heard from employees that 25 were let go and some floors of the hospital are shut down.

A spokesperson for Insight Health released a statement to 21 News explaining the reason behind the layoffs: 

“In order to stabilize operations at Trumbull Regional Medical Center and Hillside Rehabilitation Hospital for long range viability it was necessary to evaluate positions where staffing was not meeting our current patient volume needs. As our patient volumes continue to increase, positions will be brought back.”  

Commissioner Frenchko said she wants the Ohio Department of Health to visit the facility again.

"I think that it would be important for them to come back out and really see what's going on," Frenchko said.

Frenchko told 21 News that the employees who were let go included nurses, housekeepers, and dieticians.

Insight Health also told 21 News the hospitals will work with the bargaining units and employees to identify other opportunities available to those affected, as it is currently hiring in other needed areas. 

The company says patient care will not be impacted in any way.