PRIME Minister Gordon Brown was the surprise guest at today's official opening of the Essex Cardiothoracic Centre at Basildon and Thurrock Hospital.

The unannounced visit delighted hospital staff, whose Chief Executive Alan Whittle said: "On behalf of the Trust I would like to express my sincere appreciation to the Prime Minister for accepting our invitation to officially open centre, and finding the time to come here today.

"It was a very proud day for the hospital and all our staff, and we were pleased to be able to share the fantastic results we have achieved for patients so far."

Since the centre opened to patients on July 1 this year, more than 100 patients have undergone heart surgery, and many hundreds more have had a cardiology procedure.

The £60 million heart and lung centre is among the most modern of its kind in the country, with the latest equipment and technology throughout the building, including state-of-the-art operating theatres and cardiac catheter laboratories.

Offering specialist diagnosis and treatment for people with cardiovascular (heart) and respiratory (lung) diseases, patients benefit from the highest quality treatment and care delivered by a team of experienced staff.