Starting Nov. 7, occupational health services will not longer be offered at four Providence Portland metro clinics and 43 workers will be laid off.
PORTLAND, Ore. — Providence moves to permanently close occupational medicine and workplace health services at four Portland metro area clinics.
The hospital said the decision is due to changing needs in the community and that it’s moving away from occupational medicine and workplace health services as a core part of its business.
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“By concentrating our resources on primary care, urgent care and specialty services, we can better serve our patients and ensure long-term sustainability,” Providence said.
Starting Nov. 7, the service will no longer be offered at Providence’s Bridgeport Health Center in Tigard, Clackamas Medical Plaza, Tanasbourne Health Center in Hillsboro and the Newberg Medical Center.
“Over the part two years, we have lost more than half of our occupational medicine clinicians, leading us to permanently or temporarily close four clinics,” Providence said. “Despite our best efforts, the sustained shortage of these specialized clinicians has made it impossible to maintain operations.”
Providence’s Occupational Health Services will still be offered at the Hood River Memorial Hospital.
“This latest closure will affect thousands of people and businesses who depend on Providence for occupational health services,” the Oregon Nurses Association said in a statement. Adding that, the organization is disappointed to see Providence disinvest in healthcare for Oregonians. “As the Trump administration and its allies in congress continue to cut critical funding for Medicare and Medicaid, and allow subsidies for affordable care to expire, Oregonians will struggle to find the timely care they need to improve their health. Providence needs to refocus on its promise to ‘know me, care for me, ease my way.'”
Around 43 caregivers will be laid off due the service shut down. Providence said it has offered severance to each employee and are encouraging those who want to stay with the hospital group to apply to open positions.
“We are grateful for the expertise of our occupational medicine caregiver teams and clinicians and we are committed to supporting them during this transition,” Providence said.
Providence said it will be working with patients to ensure a smooth transition to other providers as part of the clinics closures.
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