Over 100 Lancashire-based NHS workers have received compensation following a union campaign.

The UNISON campaign was launched after Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust closed its Whalley site, formerly known as Calderstones Hospital, on 31 March.

UNISON said the Trust refused to compensate workers unable to make the 80-mile round trip to take up the offer of alternative employment at its Aspen site.

Michelle Smith, a former medical secretary at the Whalley site, said 'We are delighted the trust has finally paid us what we were owed.

​'Being laid off on Easter Sunday with no guarantee of alternative employment or redundancy pay was a horrible experience. I've worked in the NHS for 32 years. I couldn't believe I was treated that way.

​'I'm glad our campaign has been successful. Like many of my colleagues, I've had to make sacrifices to pay my bills and I've been worried sick about the prospect of not being able to get a new job.'

A Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust spokesman said: 'Following the conclusion of the consultation and adhering to NHS employment regulations, the Trust has reviewed every case individually, and has considered all the new supporting information to exhaust every opportunity to retain employment.

'Unfortunately, and despite best efforts to retain employment currently 118 members of staff, previously based at our former Whalley site, have now been contacted to confirm their redundancy payments. This follows the decision made by NHS England to transfer learning disability services from Whalley to their new home in Aspen Wood which is based at Maghull Health Park.

'Throughout this ongoing transition to Aspen Wood, Mersey Care has supported all staff to continue their careers in 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.'