FORMER footballer, manager and pundit Graeme Souness has cut the ribbon for a new cardiac catheter suite at a Bournemouth hospital.

The Liverpool and Scotland star, who was himself recently rushed to hospital for heart surgery, was joined by Bournemouth mayor John Adams at the launch of the high tech facility last week, at the Nuffield Health Hospital in Lansdowne Road.

The suite, the first at a private hospital in Dorset, will enable patients to receive a full cardiac service including echo scans, out-patient diagnostics and in-patient day case cardiology.

Mr Souness said: "I can’t tell you how pleased I am to be here to open the new cardiac catheter suite.

"Unfortunately for me I have some experience of what goes on in these rooms, going back 23 years.

"The people of Bournemouth are very lucky to have this state-of-the-art facility with modern technology along with outstanding cardiologists to help them feel healthy again.

"To all you doctors, I can’t thank you enough."

The introduction of the suite is part of a major £5 million renovation project at the hospital, which is the first private health provider in the UK to have installed the new Siemens Artis Q x-ray imaging technology.

Consultant cardiologist Suneel Talwar said: "Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death globally, responsible for more than 73,000 deaths in the UK every year.

"The new suite allows us to perform diagnostic coronary angiograms to look at the heart, identify any narrowings or blockages and very often treat them straight away."

Hospital director David McNair added: "It was a pleasure to welcome Graeme Souness along with our guests to view the new facilities and meet key consultants and hospital staff."

For more information contact the hospital's customer service team on 01202 375032.