The Devon Primary Care Trust (PCT) has dismissed as "complete nonsense" the suggestion that it has plans to bring in the private or independent sector to run its community hospitals.

It says the speculation - arising from a report in a Devon newspaper - is absolutely wrong.

Dr Kevin Snee, Devon PCT chief executive, said: "I want to squash once and for all any speculation or conjecture about this.

"It is a non-story. There is categorically no plan to turn our hospitals over to the private or independent sector. It is complete nonsense."

Dr Snee added that some health services in Devon were already provided by independent or not-for-profit organisations.

"That is not new. We are clear that it is the standard of the service, not who provides it, that should be the main consideration - because we are looking for the best for the patients of Devon," he said.

"That is not the same thing at all as handing over our community hospitals to the private sector."