abstract: End of the line: NHS Direct has announced that it plans to make 573 staff redundant and to close 12 call centres in a bid to ward off a financial crisis. An additional 216 posts will be lost through natural wastage and three executive level posts are also under threat. Although 376 new posts will be created, there will be a net loss of 413 posts. The proposals are out for consultation until August 16. For copies of the 'transformation consultation document', access www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk/articles/article.aspx?ArticleId=1858.