AS MANY many as 195 jobs could be axed at a Hampshire-based health care firm.

Simplyhealth, which runs from offices in Andover and Winchester, is in consultation with staff over the proposals.

The provider of health, dental and pet health plans has not stated where the redundancies could hit.

Richard Gillies, Simplyhealth's chief operating officer, said: “Simplyhealth is moving towards a new model to help us meet the changing healthcare needs of our customers and to provide the best quality health care.

"These changes are part of our investment in the business and Simplyhealth brand in order for us to grow whilst maintaining our commitment to Andover and Winchester.

“We are reshaping our structure to be able to bring new skills and capabilities into the business and as we move towards a new model, roles across the business will be affected.

"We have therefore begun a formal consultation with employee representatives. The changes we have proposed have not been made lightly and we will do all we can to support our colleagues who are impacted and, where possible, we will support those colleagues to move into alternative roles within Simplyhealth.

“We know that thriving communities make a great place to live and so we are committed to remaining in Andover and Winchester to support our colleagues, our customers and the wider community.”

Simplyhealth merged with Denplan in 2017, with the latter becoming known as Simplyhealth Professionals.