By Suzanne Laurent
DERRY — Parkland Medical Center in Derry eliminated three positions and instituted a hiring freeze last week as part of an organizationwide effort to decrease expenses as the hospital is feeling the effects of the economic downturn.
"These were administrative and professional positions," hospital spokeswoman Kimberly Larose said. "One person took another position within the company."
The hiring freeze is on any nonessential positions that would not involve direct patient care, Larose said.
Parkland has 550 employees and is part of the Northeast Division of Health Corporation of America that includes Portsmouth Regional Hospital.
Earlier this month, Portsmouth Regional Hospital eliminated six administrative positions out of its staff of 1,000 employees. Two other administrative employees were moved to positions involving direct patient care. The hospital is also instituting a hiring freeze and cutting back on travel and discretionary spending, according to hospital spokeswoman Angela Dickens.
