Publish date: 23 October 2023

A mutually agreed resignation scheme (also known as MARS) has been approved and is open for applications from Monday, 23 October 2023 until Friday, 15 December 2023. The scheme aims to support the Trust through rapid change and redesign of its services. 

Only staff in corporate, non-clinical, non-patient facing or clinical staff operating in managerial roles, which will not impact on clinical service delivery are eligible to apply for this scheme. However, where there are current high levels of vacancies in non-clinical roles, or where recruitment is underway, there may be non-clinical roles whose eligibility may be restricted.

Anyone who has already expressed their intention to retire will not be eligible to apply. 

Please note that if your role contains any aspect of clinical work, such as ancillary staff, then your application will be declined and returned to you.

Managers must only agree to support a MARS application if you can show a significant cost saving or equivalent financial value can be removed and added to the function or division cost improvement programme (CIP). There must be no direct impact on clinical service delivery by removing or changing this post.

This is a time limited scheme, and all applications must be received by 5pm on 15 December 2023. 

MARS payment will be inclusive of notice and the date of resignation will be individually agreed and will be no later than 30 September 2024. Please refer to the scheme document regarding payments for MARS based on years of service in the NHS and that the maximum payment allowed under MARS is £80,000 no matter what your salary and length of service.

Please note, even if your manager agrees to you applying for MARS that this is not confirmation that your application will be formally approved. The approval process for MARS has several steps and will be agreed and signed off by the Trust.

The full details, timeline, process, and an application form are available on YourSpace.

Having read the full details, if you have any queries or need more information, please email: mars@merseycare.nhs.uk