I wasn't aware of this until this morning but have had some Labour Party info through my door which confirmed that Jim Dowd MP had major heart surgery in September, and is still recovering albeit slowly and after a few setbacks. I believe that not a lot of people were/are aware of this but the information appears just to have been made public.

I would like to personally take this opportunity to start up a thread to wish Jim all the best for his recovery and for a speedy return to good health.

Just had surgery myself. Slightly less serious than this though.

Not a party follower, but wishing him a fast recovery.

Curious question though, what happens while he is unable to work? Not complaining but never thought about what happens when an MP is in longterm recovery..

Get well soon Jim.

They still get paid.
But the problem is who does their work.

Best wishes to Jim for a speedy recovery.

Probably their parliamentary assistants? I believe both his parliamentary and constituency office is very much open for business to people in need of assistance and advice. Difficult situation as you're very much your own boss as an MP hence no automatic cover when ill or indisposed.

I trust his time in a general ward at Lewisham hospital was comfortable, clean and efficient - or did he go private by any chance?

I don't know whether he used the NHS (I expect so), but I find it in pretty poor taste that anybody should be trying to score political points regarding his health choices while he is still recovering from major surgery.

Once he has recovered, say what you want, but until then let us all wish him a speedy recovery. He is a human being and a local resident, not just a politician.

And I'm sorry if I'm being a bit preachy, but I really do feel that party politics can stay out of an individual's recovery from heart surgery.

Michael - stop being soppy.

I wouldnt wish anyone ill health - but he is a politician with all the trappings that come with the priviledge - and that was his choice. I would like to think that he did in fact use a local hospital and was treated well, in a clean ward, free from blood stains and MRSA.

So I wish Mr Dowd well and good health - especially if he used Lewisham hospital!

He's not being soppy - you're being tasteless.

It's Panto season---all together "OH NO HE'S NOT"

sorry to have caused offence. I'll wait until he's well then lay into the political debate. Geez.

In SE23 we don't kick a man when he is down.

I didnt realise it was a kick, more of a gental nudge. Look, I recognise it was a bit naughty of me, I honestly wish Mr Dowd well and apologies if any offense has been taken. However, the condition of our NHS hosptials is a real issue and probably one for another thread.

I didnt find your comments tasteless GN, not at all in fact.

Im sure it was a private affair, but I know exactly what you mean.
Having used Lewisham a few times for surgery now, as well as private, I would have to say there is not much in it other than the surroundings.

Its painful being there, the food is "ok" and regardless of * rating, all you wanna do is go home lol

Fair play for speaking your mind, im sure he would not take offence.

Get well soon.

Roz, cheers for the comments too, that would make sense indeed.

Source: http://www.theyworkforyou.com/debates/?i...176#g863.2

Good to see him back at work.

Given some of the arguments from earlier in the thread, isn't it slightly ironic that the man himself used his treatment to make a political point around standards within the NHS?

Well, no, because he's asking a question out of a matter of personal as well as professional interest. The points earlier in the thread were just unfounded snipes.

Baboonery, as a Labour MP, do you really think Jim Dowd would have come out and said his treatment was rubbish if it had been so?

I don't know. I've got no evidence one way or the other. I'm just dismayed at the childish reactions displayed upthread and the desire to jump on him at all times.

He has an operation: "Oh, went private I bet, nudge nudge?"
Actually, no, he didn't.

He mentions this in parliament when asking a legitimate question: "Oh, he's using his illness to make a political point"
Er, no he didn't. Do you want him to be forbidden from mentioning it? Anyway, it's his illness, he can do what he likes with it. Not yours, you can't.

Fair enough, but I think you're a bit naive if you think any politician from the serving government of the day would stand up in parliament and say the NHS was awful, even if it was. Not unless he's an axe to grind. It wouldn't be worth his job.

I refuse to criticise a man for something he hasn't done.