LESS than a week after a consultation finished staff at a major Winchester employer people have begun to be made redundant.

Simplyhealth confirmed that following discussions with employees a number have now left their positions.

Despite repeated requests from the Chronicle the provider of health, dental and pet health plans has said that it is not in a position to confirm the overall numbers, except it has claimed that they are “significant lower” than the original estimate of 195 across the Victoria Road site and its Andover base.

The company has said that this is because it has been able to redeploy people who were at risk of redundancy into other roles in the business.

And for those who have already been told their role is being made redundant, the firm has said, they have completed their handovers and therefore, from Friday people started to leave the business.

A spokesperson said: “This is in line with our original intention to provide all colleagues with clarity as soon as possible.”

Chief operating officer Richard Gillies said: “We’re pleased that the overall numbers of people leaving Simplyhealth will be significantly lower than our original estimates as we’ve been able to redeploy a number of people who were at risk of redundancy into alternate roles in the business.

“Those who are leaving us will begin to leave from today (Friday), and we continue to provide them with support to help them find a role outside the company.

“We know that thriving communities make a great place to live and so we are committed to remaining in Andover and Winchester to support our colleagues, our customers and the wider community.”

Simplyhealth merged with Denplan in 2017, with the latter becoming known as Simplyhealth Professionals.