Aramark Healthcare Services LLC confirmed on Friday that it is going to lay off 243 employees at Lafayette General Medical Center after the hospital put an end to its contract with the facilities service provider.

According to a statement released by Aramark, it will stop providing the services at the hospital on Dec. 12, 2016. The hospital announced the contract earlier this month but the facility did not mention specific number of layoffs at the time.

The employer told Louisiana workforce officials that it plans to terminate cleaning service employees permanently in December, when its existing contract with the hospital will expire.

The move is said to be a cost-saving measure that also involves the Lafayette General Medical Center doing away with valet parking and a fitness gym, which will be closed on Nov. 30, 2016.

Patrick Gandy, the chief executive officer of Lafayette General Medical Center, said that the facilities service provider will continue to run its food and nutrition services at the hospital.

Gandy also announced that affected employees will be allowed to apply for jobs within the hospital or with the hospital's new housekeeping service provider.