Jobs saved as Walsall centre to close

Jobs have been secured at a doomed rehabilitation centre in Walsall after it emerged almost 60 roles will be transferred to the local authority.

Rushall Mews, which has supported more than 1,000 discharged hospital patients over the past few years, is to close in less than two months.

Housing 21, which runs the centre in New Street, today announced services will move to Hollybank House in Willenhall on October 1 and 59 staff are to become employees of Walsall Council under a TUPE transfer.

It was previously feared the roles could be at risk.

In a joint statement between Walsall Council and Housing 21, spokeswoman Wendy Gornicki said: "We are working towards redesigning services so that residents are supported to regain their independence through reablement and return home as soon as possible."

She added that Hollybank House, in Coltham Road, had been redesigned with rehabilitation in mind and that it was a better and more modern facility for people who have more complex needs.