THE APPRENTICE guru Nick Hewer officially opened a new suite at a Wroughton hospital today.

Lord Sugar’s former right-hand man cut the blue ribbon to unveil the renovated imaging suite at BMI The Ridgeway Hospital.

Swindon-native Nick was asked to do the honours due to his strong family connections to the town.

Hailing from Old Town, Nick’s father, John, was a senior partner of the Hewer, Spriggs and Wilson vets.

And Nick, known for his steely critiques on the hit BBC show, had nothing but praise for the suite.

“I am pleased and proud to be here today. I was asked to do this and delighted to accept,” he said.

“This new suite and scanner is extraordinary and it means more people can be treated to the best care available.”

Countdown presenter Nick said it was a pleasure being back in the town.

“Swindon is an honest, hard-working place. It’s home and it holds a very special place in my heart.” he said.

“It has made a great contribution to the country with the locomotion industry.”

Guests were treated to a tour of the upgraded suite and new Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) Phillips Ingenia 1.5T scanner which comes complete with multi-coloured mood lighting to help patients relax.

MRI is a type of scan that uses strong magnetic fields and radio waves to produce detailed images of the inside of the body. It can be used to examine almost any part of the body

The suite, which sees around 20 patients a day was last renovated in 2007. It took three months to complete the renovations.

Clinical lead MRI radiographer Kerry Bramley said the new and improved suite had already received positive feedback from patients.

“It helps to create a calming and soothing atmosphere, it’s awesome. The technology is state-of-the-art, it’s just pleasing to the eye,” she said.

“It’s an amazing opportunity for the radiography department and the local community and the reaction we have got so far from the people using it has been fantastic.

“People can be very stressed when they come in for a scan so this helps relax and soothe them.

“It’s something different, it looks less intimidating and it’s not what people expect when they walk in here.

Hospital executive director James Lowe said the suite would enable staff to provide improved care to patients in the town.

“I’m very proud that this has happened during my time with the hospital. This is the highlight for so many people,” he said.

"It’s brought us all together. I am very pleased to have Nick here too because of his local connections.

“A lot of work has gone into this and ultimately it means we can better serve the people of Swindon and Wiltshire and that is what this is all about.”