In late April, Palomar Health laid off 317 employees, which the union members said exacerbated issues. Author: City News Service Updated: 7:26 PM PST December 11, 2020 SAN DIEGO COUNTY, Calif. — Registered nurses and caregivers gathered outside Palomar Medical Center Poway Friday morning to protest what they say are unsafe working conditions during the COVID-19 pandemic, a claim which the healthcare system described as "appalling" and "irresponsible." The disagreement stems from a waiver Palomar Health received from the California Department of Public Health on Wednesday which allows the Poway campus to assign one intensive care nurse to care for up to three patients, depending on patient acuity. Nurses say they are already overworked. In late April, Palomar Health laid off 317 employees, which the union members said exacerbated issues.