Fifty NHS workers to be 'sacked' after site closure in Whalley

The closure of operations in Whalley follows a NHS consultation in 2017

More than 50 NHS workers will be sacked without redundancy because they cannot make a 80-mile round trip after their current site shuts, a union has said.

Mersey Care NHS Trust is set to stop operations at the Calderstones site in Whalley, Lancashire on Sunday.

They said they would "offer suitable alternative roles where possible" as services transfer to Maghull Health Park near Liverpool.

However, the GMB union said they were "offering unsuitable alternatives".

A union representative said more than 50 "long-standing" workers were told they could work about 40 miles away near Liverpool.

Other members were offered roles in a local trust, which they could not accept because of family and caring responsibilities.

GMB organiser Michael Clark said: "Mersey Care's insistence on an average 80-mile commute per shift is unreasonable.

"By disregarding members with family and caring responsibilities and offering unsuitable alternatives, the trust is failing its duty of care to them.

"These employees deserve better treatment and if required, the redundancy they are rightfully entitled to."

Only specialist hospital

A spokesman for Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust, which employs about 11,000 people, said: "Throughout this ongoing process, Mersey Care has supported all staff to continue their careers within the NHS by offering opportunities within our Trust and other local NHS organisations to protect their employment."

He added that a consultation process would end on Monday, saying "we will continue working with our workforce, staff side and partners to support staff and offer them suitable alternative roles where possible, subject to NHS employment regulations".

The closure of their operations in Whalley follows a NHS England consultation in 2017 over transforming care for people with a learning disability.

Formerly known as the Calderstones Hospital, it was England's only specialist hospital for people with learning disabilities and will be transferred to Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust in April.