A NEW MULTI-MILLION state-of-the-art cardiac unit in Southampton was officially opened by the Health Secretary.

Patricia Hewitt MP refused to be drawn into questions about being interviewed by police in the cash for honours row nor the impending closures of three Hampshire birthing centres when she visited Southampton General Hospital to open the new North Wing extension.

Instead, she toured the new £60m building which was funded by the Department of Health to house the internationally renowned Wessex Cardiac Unit and met with staff and patients.

She said: "This is an absolutely wonderful centre here in Southampton and is a real world-class centre of excellence for pioneering heart surgery on the NHS and most of it is down to the skills and leadership of the staff here.

"What this will mean is those patients who need certain treatments can be brought directly here much faster than before and get the best treatment around and not just the people in Southampton but all across the South.

"I am really pleased to be officially opening this centre which would not have been possible without all the hard work that has gone in to it."

Ms Hewitt was accompanied by Professor Roger Boyle, national director for heart disease. They touredthe cardiac services including the 12-bed intensive care unit and observed cardiologists working in state-of-the-art catheter labs.