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OTTUMWA, IOWA -- Ottumwa Regional Health Center will be laying-off 43 employees effective immediately.

KTVO spoke to Jeff Atwood on Thursday. Atwood is the vice president of communications for Regional Care, the corporate parent of ORHC.

Atwood tells KTVO that the majority of the staff being released are in support positions, and not directly responsible for patient care.

The cuts are permanent and not temporary lay-offs.

Atwood says the move was necessary and reflective of the hospital's current patient load.

The employees will be offered a 12-week severance package that includes health insurance.

ORHC employees about 600 people, so hospital is cutting roughly seven percent of its staff.