Date published: 2 April 2024
Mersey Care has issued a statement in response to recent reports regarding staff concerns about the transfer of our Specialist Learning Disability services away from our former Whalley site.
A Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust spokesman said: “We are aware of concerns among some of our workforce due to changes in working arrangements alongside the transfer of care from our former Whalley site to Aspen Wood, based at Maghull Health Park.
“The decision to cease commissioning forensic learning disability services from Whalley, was made by NHS England in 2017. As a result, the Whalley site transferred to Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust on 1 April 2024.
“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, to retain talent and minimise the loss of valuable skills and expertise from the NHS.
“We have worked hard with partner NHS organisations to reach an agreement so all registered nurses and health care assistants would be offered local opportunities, including for some to remain at the Whalley site.
“Mersey Care will continue to follow the legal framework and work alongside our workforce, staff side and partners to support staff and offer them suitable alternative roles where possible, subject to NHS employment regulations.”