In a statement, Mr Ferguson said the redundancy and workforce renewal incentive programs were necessary to achieve savings of $7 million a year from the service.

He said the staff reduction would be within the reduction of 1200 full-time equivalent positions announced in the 2014 budget.

The savings from the job losses would be reinvested in frontline services, Mr Ferguson said.

Health and Community Services Union state secretary Tim Jacobson said neither the union nor health employees had heard that 80 employees would be made redundant.

‘‘It comes as a complete surprise,’’ he said.

‘‘I don’t know where the figure came from, and the fact the minister is using it in the context of the 1200 jobs already announced is peculiar given the 1200 jobs were never to be reinvested in frontline services.’’

Mr Jacobson called on Mr Ferguson to consult with the union about the changes as soon as possible.

‘‘There will be a whole lot of workers that are now questioning their future,’’ he said.

Labor health spokeswoman Rebecca White said the announcement that 80 positions would be cut from the THS was a shock. 

‘‘This is a low blow from Michael Ferguson just before Christmas,’’ she said. 

She said the merging of the THOs into the THS had been flagged by the Liberal government as a way to save money but there was never any consultation about what positions would be lost. 

‘‘These workers are the people who take the phone calls, manage accreditation, organise rosters and manage the day-to-day functions of a busy health system,’’ she said.

‘‘The loss of 80 positions will undoubtedly have an impact on the health system’s ability to operate well.’’