WEST SPRINGFIELD, MA (WGGB/WSHM) – Trinity Health’s home health facility in West Springfield closed Monday, laying off dozens of employees.

About 60 employees lost their jobs on Monday due to the closure. One local health worker said he was confused because home health care is needed more than ever.

In July, Trinity Health announced it was closing its West Springfield hospice facility home health care. This resulted in the layoff of the patient and her 60 employees in western Massachusetts.

Western Mass News has reached out to the company for a statement. Mark McPherson, President and CEO of Trinity Health At Home, said:

“The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the business of healthcare forever. Nationwide, the healthcare system is facing dramatic shifts in patient numbers, staffing challenges, including high-cost agency contracts, and rising supply and pharmacy costs. I have experience.”

His statement continued:

“Trinity Health at Home is addressing these challenges with long-term and short-term solutions to continue our mission of caring for the many communities who depend on us. We have made the difficult but necessary decision to close our Massachusetts agency, which includes Trinity Health of New England at Home home care and hospice.”

But Katie Murphy, president of the Massachusetts Association of Nurses, said she was shocked and confused.

“Communities need these services and hospitals are shutting them down,” she said.

Murphy said the patient numbers listed in the company’s statement were accurate, but that meant agencies like Trinity Health at Home were putting pressure on hospitals by providing care at home. That’s why it needs to be removed, she added.

“People who delayed treatment during the pandemic are hospitalized worse than ever. Hospitals are bursting at the seams,” Murphy told us. seems to have no meaning.”

She further argued that staffing issues were the reason the company should not lay off 60 employees.

“A lot of hospitals say they are short of manpower, but Trinity laying off 60 nurses? 60 medical professionals? I’m sure,” Murphy said.

She said the hospital received funds to help combat the COVID-19 pandemic. She believes those funds could have prevented this closure.

“This may be good for their bottom line, but it’s not good for the community,” Murphy said. “The community needs these services.”

The company said those who lost their jobs are eligible for a retirement package that includes salary, medical coverage and other benefits.

Current patients can complete a 60-day care plan. Once needs exceed his 60 days, services will be transferred to a new agency.

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