June 30, 2025 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

100 Healthcare Workers, Allies to Protest Today at Noon About Understaffing at St. John’s Health Center in Santa Monica

One hundred healthcare workers and allies will protest today at 12 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 12 at Providence St. John’s Health Center, 2121 Santa Monica Blvd. in Santa Monica, over understaffing at the hospital and a plan that would prohibit workers from publicly airing concerns about patient care. 

“Our goal is to provide the best patient care but that’s hard to do when we’re short staffed and unable to respond to patients’ calls for help,” said Linda Phongsvej, a Respiratory Therapist at St. John’s Health Center. “Patients should have confidence that when they walk into the hospital that someone will respond as soon as possible. This is what my co-workers and I strive for, and why we are raising the issue of staffing.” 

According to a survey conducted last month of 154 workers at the hospital, 47 percent report staffing has been cut in their department during the past year, and more than a third of respondents indicated that understaffing delays their ability to respond to patient call lights. 

Patients at St. John’s agree there is a problem with caregivers’ response times.Medicare.gov reported that only 56 percent of St. John’s patients “always received help as soon as they wanted,” compared to the state average of 61 percent and the national average of 69 percent. 

The hospital is proposing a “gag rule” that prohibits workers from speaking publicly about patient care problems at the facility. Caregivers say such a policy is an attempt to deter them from reporting serious issues that affect the community and patients have a right to know. 

More than 450 workers at the hospital are members of SEIU-United Healthcare Workers West (SEIU-UHW), from nursing assistants and licensed vocational nurses to respiratory therapists and pharmacy technicians. Workers voted to join the union in February 2017.

The facility opened in 1942 and is owned by Providence St. Joseph Health, which is the third-largest hospital system in the country with 50 facilities, including hospitals in Burbank, Mission Hills, San Pedro, Tarzana and Torrance. The company reported operating revenue of $18.1 billion in 2016.

<>Related Posts

Three-Bed Palisades Highlands Townhouse Hits Market for $1.7M

June 30, 2025

June 30, 2025

The Mediterranean-style property, located at 1529 Michael Lane, is part of a 71-unit community A remodeled 1,919-square-foot townhouse in the...

Six-Bed Mar Vista Hilltop Home Under Construction Lists for $5.3M

June 30, 2025

June 30, 2025

The private backyard is complete with a pool, spa, fire pit, built-in BBQ, and areas for outdoor dining A stunning...

(Video) Getty Villa Reopens Six Months After Dodging Destruction of Palisades Wildfires

June 29, 2025

June 29, 2025

With the reopening also comes a new exhibit, “The Kingdom of Pylos” Getty Villa Reopens Six Months After Dodging Destruction...

Free Virtual Planetarium Shows Coming to SMC in July

June 29, 2025

June 29, 2025

The virtual format is in place as construction of the new SMC Planetarium and Observatory nears completion The Santa Monica...

Santa Monica Adopts $793.3M Budget for FY25-27, Prioritizing Housing and Safety

June 29, 2025

June 29, 2025

The budget preserves core services and invests in major projects, including over $1 billion in hotel investments The Santa Monica...

Iranian Pastor in West L.A. Speaks as Church Rocked by Immigration Raids 

June 28, 2025

June 28, 2025

Five Detained as Fear Spreads Through Persian Christian Faith Community  Fear has spread through a West Los Angeles congregation after...

California Doubles Down on Hollywood: $750M in Tax Credits Approved for Film and TV Industry

June 28, 2025

June 28, 2025

State Lawmakers Back Major Expansion of Production Incentives, Raising Job Projections Los Angeles’ film and television industry is poised to...

Park: “Our Water Infrastructure Must Be Emergency-Ready Every Day”

June 28, 2025

June 28, 2025

Councilwoman expressed cautious relief at the news but emphasized the need for robust infrastructure The Los Angeles Department of Water...

Washington Square Pizza Opens to the Public

June 28, 2025

June 28, 2025

New York Style Pizza “By-The-Slice” Now at the Beach By Nick Antonicello  Washington Square Pizza formally opened its doors today...

California Allocates $5B for Road Repairs, Transit Expansion

June 28, 2025

June 28, 2025

The funding aims to improve road safety, reduce traffic congestion, and promote cleaner transportation California is investing nearly $5 billion...

THIS SUNDAY: Palisades Symphony Presents “Best of Broadway”

June 28, 2025

June 28, 2025

The performance will feature a full orchestra playing iconic selections, from John Philip Sousa’s *El Capitan* and George Gershwin’s *The...

LAPD Updates Immigration FAQ to Clarify Enforcement Role

June 27, 2025

June 27, 2025

The document, available in English and Spanish, outlines the department’s policies and limits regarding immigration status The Los Angeles Police...

Three Santa Monica College Student Films Selected for International Film Festival

June 27, 2025

June 27, 2025

The LA Shorts International Film Festival, the city’s longest-running shorts festival, screens over 350 films annually and draws 10,000 attendees...

EEEEEATSCON Los Angeles Returns with Star Chefs, Firefighter Tribute, and Wildfire Relief Efforts

June 27, 2025

June 27, 2025

Culinary Festival Features Exclusive Restaurant Collabs, Support for Small Businesses  EEEEEATSCON Los Angeles, the celebrated food festival curated by The...

Suspect Charged by Los Angeles DA with Shooting of Santa Monica Cop and Teens

June 27, 2025

June 27, 2025

Faces Attempted Murder Charges and Over 100 Years to Life in Prison if Convicted. Criminal charges have been filed against...