THE legacy of a multi-million pound debt left yet another Wiltshire-based trust with a zero-star rating.

When it was set up last year, the Kennet and North Wiltshire Primary Care Trust inherited a £10m deficit, which affected the quality of service provision.

Their performance has also been held back by long waiting lists for treatment at the crisis-hit Royal United Hospital in Bath.

But chief executive Barbara Smith said the zero rating did not reflect the hard work of staff and GP practices in the area. She said: "We were disappointed but not surprised by the results of the report.

"We started this year with a financial deficit but have now managed to balance the books.

"But sadly not in time for this to have an effect on the CHI ratings."

Mrs Smith is not prepared to put all the blame onto the troubled RUH.

She said: "This is our problem as well and we have been working very closely with officers at the hospital to try and solve it."

The PCT has exceeded national targets in helping people to stop smoking and screening for breast cancer.

"As for the future, we are planning for stars," said Mrs Smith.

"As a zero-star trust we will be getting a lot of support from the Strategic Health Authority to ensure that we perform efficiently and we don't have people waiting longer than they have to.

"Finance is an ongoing issue and we hope to have a balance within three years.

"We will be addressing all issues this year and next year."