Landmark Medical lays off 31 workers

WOONSOCKET, R.I. (WPRI) -- Landmark Medical Center and the Rehabilitation Hospital of Rhode Island is reducing its workforce across several departments.

The struggling Woonsocket hospital laid off 31 employees last Tuesday, including members of management, administrative and patient care staffs.

“A decision like this is never easy, but it is necessary to do what we can to protect the viability of the hospital in the long term," said Landmark Spokesman Bill Fischer. "This implementation will not affect patient care.”

The layoffs come just a few weeks after a judge approved for the center to be bought by California-based Prime Healthcare Services.

The hospital tells us all of the employees will receive benefits in the form of a week's severance pay and three months of benefits.