SWINDON Primary Care Trust is to run the Kennet and North Wiltshire Primary Care Trust.

The Swindon trust, headed by chief executive Jan Stubbings, a former deputy chief executive of Wiltshire Health Authority, was one of nine PCTs in the region invited to apply to run Kennet and North Wiltshire PCT, which has been without a chief executive since the resignation of Barbara Smith in September.

The Kennet and North Wiltshire trust received a zero star rating in national performance ratings in July.

Swindon PCT received a two star rating in the national league tables, out of a possible three stars.

Tim Boucher, chairman of Kennet and North Wiltshire PCT, said: "We need to make changes quickly if we are to begin the process of moving forward to three star rating within three years.

He said: "We believe that to appoint a replacement chief executive without strengthening the management structure would not deliver the improved leadership we need in an acceptable timescale, whereas support from a successful PCT elsewhere has the potential to make much more rapid changes.

"Swindon is such a PCT with a successful track record."

Joint acting chief executives Stephen Golledge and Mike Theelke will continue until January 31.