NHS staff who look after thousands of wheelchair users say they face an uncertain future now the contract for the service they provide could be privatised.

NHS Lincolnshire confirmed the contract, which expires on March 31, has gone out to tender.

United Lincolnshire Hospitals Trust (ULHT), which currently runs the service, says it is not making any staff redundant and they will all transfer to the new provider once one is appointed.

But there are no guarantees the new firm – thought to be a private company rather than an NHS-run authority – will keep on all the staff.

The Echo understands that there are 24 staff, including 14 technicians and 10 admin workers, employed by ULHT for the service, although the trust would not confirm the numbers.

An NHS worker, who did not want to be named, told the Echo: "We got told the service was going to a private healthcare provider. Apparently it's been in the pipeline for a while.

"Some of the staff have asked about redundancies, holidays and pensions but they are not being told anything until January 31.

"People are worried – they've got mortgages to pay."

The service repairs, maintains, reconditions and delivers wheelchairs from depots in Dene Road, Lincoln and Turnpike Close, Grantham.

One wheelchair user, who asked not to be named, said: "I'm really worried to hear that they are changing who runs the service and even more concerned that it might go to a private company.

"I have been in a wheelchair since I was 19 after a car accident and I could not cope without it.

"I feel a bit disgusted that as service users we haven't been told that there will be a change. There is no way to know how it will affect us.

"If the change won't affect us at all, then the NHS should tell us."

Simon Hopkinson from the authority said: "Formal contract award is scheduled for January 27, following which NHS Lincolnshire will issue an update including information about the new provider and any changes to the service.

"In the meantime staff are being kept informed within the confines of the legal constraints of a tendering process.

"The priority is to secure the best possible wheelchair service."

Spokesman for ULHT Becky Derbyshire said: "ULHT has served notice on the provision of Wheelchair Services for Lincolnshire and the contract with ULHT for the provision of this service expires on March 31, 2012.

"We have provided a joint statement from ourselves and NHS Lincolnshire about the current situation. We are not in a position to disclose any further details at this time."