Thatcher set for longer hospital stay

Former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher is likely to remain in hospital longer than expected although she had a good night after an operation on her broken arm, her son said today.

Visiting her at the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital in central London this morning, Mark Thatcher said his mother was receiving good medical care.

Mark said yesterday that Margaret Thatcher, 83, was likely to remain in hospital until at least Wednesday.

Today he revised that estimate to say it was likely to be longer before she is allowed home.

A spokesman for Margaret Thatcher described her condition as “comfortable” and said she was resting today.

The operation inserted a pin into her upper left arm which she broke in a fall earlier this month.

Doctors decided on the move after the injury failed to heal as quickly as they would have liked.

Thatcher has suffered a number of health scares in recent years, including a series of minor strokes.

In March last year, she spent a night in hospital after feeling unwell while having dinner with friends.

Last summer, her daughter Carol said her mother was suffering from dementia.

Lady Thatcher cut down her commitments – all but stopping speaking in public - on the advice of doctors several years ago but she continues to attend ceremonial functions.