The scrapping of Wales's existing health authorities to make way for a new management structure would cause significant problems, according to a survey of managers by the NHS Confederation.

The shake-up will affect Wales's health authorities

The body represents senior managers at Wales's health authorities and trusts.

Assembly Health Minister Jane Hutt announced her plans to scrap a middle tier of management in February, amid concerns that hundreds of jobs could be lost.

A key criticism from managers who took part in the confederation survey is that the proposed changes will create too many separate bodies of control.

The confederation's findings are part of a wider response to the Welsh Assembly's plans to abolish the five health authorities and replace them with 22 local health boards.

The current bodies are responsible for planning and commissioning health services and the new management tier would see the proposed groups work together as three consortia.

Manager concerns

The survey's findings showed that 69% of those canvassed believed that the 22 separate health boards was too many.

A further 86% thought the new structure would be less accountable, and 80% did not think there were enough high-calibre managers available to staff the new bodies.

Assembly Health Minister Jane Hutt is due to unveil the final plan for restructuring the running of the health service in Wales this week.

The current proposals have met with widespread opposition from health unions, doctors, and the opposition political parties.

Ms Hutt's blueprint for the NHS in Wales is part of a 10-year plan to upgrade health services in Wales.

Control

Among the proposals are shorter waiting times and the wider use of salaried GPs.

The current health authorities filter a �2.6bn budget to Wales's 16 NHS trusts.

The proposed changes will give more powers to local health groups.