The sale of Scotland's biggest private hospital could be completed within a week.

The Health Care International (HCI) medical centre in Clydebank could still be bought for the National Health Service, but the BBC understands that its owners are negotiating with another private firm.

First Minister Jack McConnell has ruled out spending hundreds of millions of pounds taking over the hospital for the NHS.

But the Scottish Executive is keen to buy if the price is right and is understood to be prepared to pay up to �80m.

Private sector

Speculation about the private hospital's financial situation has rumbled on for a considerable period of time.

The Abu Dhabi Investment Company, which owns the hospital, is in talks with another private firm.

Sources close to the negotiations say a deal is imminent and the hospital could be sold within a week.

Last month, First Minister Jack McConnell told the Scottish Parliament it was "completely untrue" that the executive would consider spending hundreds of millions to buy HCI.

He said: "We have said all along that we would maximise the use of health facilities in Scotland, private and public sector, for the benefit of NHS patients.

'Irresponsible proposal'

"But that will not involve spending hundreds of millions of pounds on the HCI hospital in Clydebank.

"That would be a silly and irresponsible proposal."

In January, the executive confirmed that hundreds of NHS patients would be treated at the private hospital.

The executive said it wanted to use private sector capacity to reduce NHS waiting times.