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Top NHS officials have reportedly warned that Theresa May's immigration plans post-Brexit could shutter "25 per cent" of services in some hospitals.

NHS executives described the plans as the “most destructive policy proposal for NHS recruitment” and could cause chaos in hospitals across the UK.

Documents leaked to The Daily Telegraph show that NHS chiefs met senior civil servants in January to share their fears.

Among their concerns were fears that a proposed rule which would stop people who would earn less than £30,000 moving to the UK could make it more difficult to fill empty nursing posts.

(Image: Sky News)

At one point an NHS director reportedly said that a “£30,000 limit is the most destructive policy proposal for NHS recruitment I’ve heard of,” to which another attendee responded: “and the entire UK”.

The changes were also described as “awful for social care”.

The rule change has reportedly split the cabinet - with Theresa May backing the proposals, but Home Secretary Sajid Javis wary that they could damage the NHS and the wider economy.

(Image: PA)

The plans are currently under consultation.

According to the transcript seen by The Telegraph, a senior NHS executive told the meeting “I think the most useful things that could be done to help us would be...the immigration white paper...that £30,000 limit is the most destructive policy proposal for NHS recruitment I’ve heard of.

“And frankly social care would say far worse things about it because it wipes out the provision of care.

“It’s absolutely appalling. To be frank with you, what it would mean for our hospitals...it would mean we would have to close about 25 per cent of our services.

“Truly that’s how severe it is.”

A Government spokesperson said: "Having a health and social care workforce that is valued and skilled is a priority for this Government.

"The new system, operating from 2021, is designed to attract the talented workers we need, but also to deliver on the referendum result and end free movement.

“Skilled workers will be required to meet a minimum salary threshold and as part of our extensive engagement we are discussing the Migration Advisory Committee’s recommendation for this to be set at £30,000.

"We are also considering whether a lower threshold should apply for some jobs and this approach is already in place for roles, such as nurses and paramedics, which are in short supply.”