NHS England could axe one in four of its senior posts within six months as part of a major structural reorganisation of the body, under plans unveiled by its chief executive today.

At least 75 management or senior clinical posts could be cut by March next year as part of its major reorganisation, Simon Stevens told staff in an email this morning.

The commissioning body currently employs 300 staff in top senior manager or clinical posts.

Details of the major shake-up of its senior staff structures is the second phase of an organisational review of NHS England, initiated by Mr Stevens after he took up his position in April.

In the email he said NHS England’s regional teams would be reorganised into single tier structures, similar to arrangements currently in place in London.

This aspect of the restructure would result in a reduction in the number of area team directors and positions reporting directly to them.  

Such a move was “principally driven by the running cost cuts we are facing”, Mr Stevens said.  

“In making these changes we will thereby minimise reductions required from less senior posts at other levels in our organisation.”

He said London has “proposed new ways of securing transformation and forward delivery”.

Mr Stevens also announced “streamlining and efficiencies for all national directorates”.

NHS England planned to create an “enhanced specialised commissioning function” which will “bring together all existing national specialised commissioning activities and resource”.

Previously he said he wanted to streamline the body to ensure a singular focus on commissioning.

The email said he “fully recognise[d] that this is a difficult and unsettling period”.

Final decisions about the job cuts are expected to be made in November following a 45 day consultation period.

All of the proposed changes are expected to be in place by April 2015.

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