By Jeff Mays
DNAInfo Reporter/Producer
HARLEM — Doctors at Harlem Hospital approved a new contract that will reduce the number of layoffs and keep medical services such as neurosurgery and rehabilitation at the hospital.
The new contract with the Physicians Affiliate Group of New York (PAGNY) will reduce the number of doctors from existing staff who were to be laid off from 20 to 6. Thirty-three of the 38 doctor positions that had been vacant will also be filled.
Other changes include a 1.5 percent salary increase and a 1.5 percent lump sum payment. Physicians Affiliate Group of New York has also pledged to not reduce the hours or layoff any additional doctors during this 18-month contract.
In an effort to close a $1.3 billion budget gap, the Health and Hospitals Corporation (HHC) announced a massive restructuring in May. The changes included layoffs in addition to combining services, and a restructuring of the affiliations of the 11 hospitals that HHC oversees. Columbia University will end its financial affiliation with Harlem Hospital as a result.
