St.Joseph's Hospital is the latest to announce layoffs in the current economic downturn.

Hospital C.E.O.Jack Julius says 20 staff people were laid off Friday...and some staff hours were reduced...as part of a consolidation of services.

Julius says the move is intended to improve efficiency in a continuing slowdown of the economy.

All of the employees are being offered severance plans and job training, and, when possible, the opportunity to apply for other jobs in the hospital.

Hospital spokeswoman Jill Parsons added that the changes involve moving duties of some employees and the reassigning of other workers to new responsibilities.