A major restructuring of the NHS in Wales has been undertaken by Assembly Health Minister Jane Hutt.

BBC Wales' Health Correspondent Susie Phillips explains why the changes are being made, and how patients will be affected.

Q: Why is the NHS being restructured in Wales?

A: There was a feeling among some politicians and health professionals that health authorities were too remote and not in touch with the health needs of local people.

Jane Hutt, the Health Minister decided it would be better if health services were commissioned at a local level, by people like GPs, dentists and other healthcare workers working alongside the local authorities.

Q: How is it being restructured?

A: The five health authorities which currently receive money from the assembly to buy health services from trusts and primary care will be abolished on 1 April next year.

In their place will be 22 local health boards (LHBs) which cover the same areas as local authorities.

They will be supervised by three regional directorates of the Welsh Assembly.

Q: What will it mean for patients?

A: The idea is that the people who commission services have local knowledge.

Q: Why is it controversial?

A: Many people fear that the change will increase bureaucracy - as there will be 22 local health boards not five.

Each will have over 20 board members and a chairman as well as an executive structure including a chief executive and a director of finance.

There are also fears that the boards will be too small and parochial to plan health services properly.

Q: What will happen next?

A: The Welsh Assembly has said it is confident that all senior appointments will have been made by October.

The shadow local health boards are due to begin operating on 1 November, and the five health authorities will be abolished on 1 April next year.