AN investigation has been launched after a fake website promoting the “Thatcher Memorial Hospital” in East Lancashire was produced alongside a series of bogus job adverts.

NHS trusts across the north have been placed on alert after the site, ostensibly a mirror image of the former Calderstones NHS hospital trust, began posting recruitment adverts with the online jobs firm Shine.

Those behind the site have created a fictional suburb of Whalley, where Calderstones’ wards are still based, called Thatcher, which it claims is packed with “used record stores, clothing boutiques and sporting goods emporiums”.

Dozens of pictures of the former chairman, directors and governors at Calderstones, which was taken over by Mersey Care on July 1, have also been used, alongside made-up names.

Ribble Valley MP Nigel Evans has labelled the internet fraudsters “pathetic” and urged the authorities to track down whoever is responsible for carrying out the elaborate scam.

Mr Evans said: “You have to question who would have the time and energy to spend on this kind of nonsense.

“But I hope that the NHS and police fully investigate this and give whoever is responsible for this them the assistance that they need.

“Why anyone would want to do something like this, and for what purpose, you just can’t imagine.

“But there may well people desperate enough for a job who fall for this website so I hope it is investigated.” The Lancashire Telegraph understands that several other NHS trusts across the county have already been given warnings about the bogus Thatcher Hospital, and the vacancies being advertised online for the fake organisation.

A spokesman for NHS Protect, the organisation’s anti-fraud arm, said: “Unless a fraud is believed to be targeting NHS funds, it is not in the remit of NHS Protect to investigate. However we are aware of concerns about this website and any misuse of NHS branding has potentially serious implications. NHS Protect is taking all appropriate actions, including liaison with the police.”

A Mersey Care spokesman said: “We have been alerted to this and are aware of it , as are all NHS trusts, but this matter is being handled by NHS Protect on our behalf.”