UNDER-performinG primary care trusts, such as the one serving Wiltshire, could soon find themselves being run by private companies.

The Government yesterday outlined controversial plans to allow private firms to take over the running of struggling PCTs.

Wiltshire Primary Care Trust, which provides services across all of the county except for Swindon, was last year labelled weak in quality and use of resources by the Healthcare Commission.

For now the Government says that the idea is nothing more than a proposal.

But, if pushed ahead, it is believed Wiltshire, as well as PCTs serving Devon, East and North Hertfordshire, Leicestershire County and Rutland, Luton Teaching, Mid-Essex, Sheffield, Surrey, West Hertfordshire and Cumbria could be among the first to be placed under management, as they were all mentioned on the Healthcare Commission's list.

"Wiltshire PCT is not a failing trust," said a PCT spokesman. "We are in financial balance and we are predicting a good rating on our quality assessment for the year ending in March 2008.

"We know that there is a strong future for the NHS in Wiltshire."

Health Minister Ben Bradshaw said bringing in private firms to run hospitals was one of a range of options aimed at improving performance and said no NHS assets or staff would be transferred to private companies.

Mr Bradshaw also said the Government would only turn to the private sector to tackle failing hospitals if managers could not be found from within the NHS.

"In practice I think it will be the last resort," he said.

But the plan came in for criticism from healthcare professionals.

Dr Jonathan Fielden, the chairman of the British Medical Association's consultants' committee, said: "The BMA would have grave concerns if the private sector took over the management of NHS Trusts.

"Such a move would effectively see parts of the NHS become privatised.

"There is an immense amount of talent within the NHS - in leadership and management - and this should be nurtured to ensure NHS Trusts do not find themselves in a position of failure.

"This talent would also be used when an NHS Trust was in difficulty, to help them through their problems.

"There is no evidence the private sector would do better.

"They would just aim to make a profit rather than the driver being the high quality care our patients need."

Paul Kenny, of the GMB union which represents NHS staff and ambulance drivers, said the union will resist this move with every sinew.