THE man in charge of the controversial restructuring of Wales' NHS has warned of a raft of major problems with the overhaul.

Bryan Mitchell, the director of the structural change programme, has told top civil servants there are "major risks" over the cost and timing of the reforms.

And he has even questioned whether the new structures will work, saying there is a real risk they will not be "fit for purpose".

His warnings are contained in a leaked document circulated to NHS Wales director Ann Lloyd and senior figures in the Assembly civil service.

Mr Mitchell listed seven "major risks" in the document dated October 15.

He said among the "major risks to the NHS structural change programme" were:

* Costs and fit for purpose. * Accommodation. The north Wales and south east Wales regional offices are to be housed in temporary accommodation. The mid west Wales office will also need temporary accommodation while its permanent home is fitted out. * Migration of systems. There are concerns the equipment will not work effectively in its new locations. * Business continuity. * Appointment of senior managers. Mr Mitchell said the director of finance has not yet been appointed despite advertisements for the post. The job will now be advertised again. The posts of director of primary care and director of the business service centre also remain unfilled and have been advertised again. * Complexity of the transition period. * Time.

Conservative Welsh health spokesman David Melding said: "The minister (Jane Hutt) said the costs would be the same as in the existing system, but they are going to escalate. There are also real concerns about the speed in which the restructuring reforms have gone ahead.

"She is clearly going to go ahead with this but we have a health system showing all the signs of being out of control. It will be a highly bureaucratic and centralised system. You cannot run a modern public service like a monopoly.

"And all this is happening at a time when we are not treating more patients despite spending over 30 per cent more."

The revelations will be embarrassing to Welsh health minister Jane Hutt. The reforms, which centre around the replacement of the five Welsh health authorities with 22 local boards, have already proved hugely unpopular with health professionals.

Ms Hutt has already faced embarrassment over the costs of the reform. Despite repeatedly insisting the changes would be "cost neutral" it has emerged she later admitted they would cost £12.5-£15.5 million.