Swinney's comments came after the announcement prompted widespread concern from unions and healthcare organisations.

The First Minister told BBC's Radio Scotland Breakfast: ‘I will maintain the no compulsory redundancy commitment. There is no question about that in my mind.'

James O'Connell Unite regional co-ordinator said: ‘The First Minister saying that the Government's plans to reduce the number of health boards in Scotland will not result in compulsory redundancies is a hollow committment. The reality is that in many local authorities there have been no compulsory redundancy policies in place but that hasn't stopped over 32,000 jobs being lost since 2009. The result of the Government's announcement will be more cuts to services which will only heap more pressure and workloads on to public sector workers.'

A Scottish Trades Union Congress spokesperson said: ‘It is entirely right that the First Minister has listened to trade unions across Scotland and removed the threat of compulsory redundancies from his Government's public service reform agenda. We intend to hold both him and his Government to account, while continuing to make the case that public service reform cannot become a disguise for public service cuts.

‘It is simply not credible to contemplate a reduction of up to 20,000 public servants while claiming that the services they provide can somehow be strengthened. We will engage with Government ministers in good faith, but they should be under no illusions: if reform of our public services is shaped by a cuts agenda rather than the needs of the public and the wellbeing of the workforce, that good faith will be in short supply.'

Colin Poolman, executive director, RCN Scotland said: ‘Our members are of course concerned about what the proposals will mean for the services they deliver, for their patients and for their jobs. We have been clear about the need for transparency and meaningful engagement with the RCN and other trade unions, and with staff, as the proposals develop.

‘Structural change alone will not address increasing demand and the persistent workforce challenges across health and care. Long term workforce planning, improving the working environment and tackling the persistent culture problems that continue within the NHS must be at the heart of any changes.'