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Prescott suffering from pneumonia | Prescott suffering from pneumonia |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott is suffering from pneumonia, his office has confirmed. | Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott is suffering from pneumonia, his office has confirmed. |
The 69-year-old has been moved to a high-dependency unit, but a spokesman stressed that this was not because his condition had deteriorated. | The 69-year-old has been moved to a high-dependency unit, but a spokesman stressed that this was not because his condition had deteriorated. |
He has been in hospital since Saturday, when he was taken ill on a train from Hull to London. | He has been in hospital since Saturday, when he was taken ill on a train from Hull to London. |
His friends have told the BBC's Nick Robinson that Mr Prescott is conscious and there is no sense of alarm. | His friends have told the BBC's Nick Robinson that Mr Prescott is conscious and there is no sense of alarm. |
Our political editor said the friends had told him that the deputy prime minister was sitting up, and had managed to dictate a statement about his illness. | Our political editor said the friends had told him that the deputy prime minister was sitting up, and had managed to dictate a statement about his illness. |
Stepping down | Stepping down |
It is thought he was moved to the high dependency unit - for patients needing more observation and treatment than in a general ward - owing to his age and the fact that he suffers from diabetes. | It is thought he was moved to the high dependency unit - for patients needing more observation and treatment than in a general ward - owing to his age and the fact that he suffers from diabetes. |
I have sent my best wishes to John and his family Peter HainCabinet minister Profile: John Prescott | I have sent my best wishes to John and his family Peter HainCabinet minister Profile: John Prescott |
Mr Prescott's wife, Pauline, has been at his bedside on Tuesday. | Mr Prescott's wife, Pauline, has been at his bedside on Tuesday. |
His official spokesman said: "He has been moved to a high-dependency unit, not because of a deterioration in his condition but so that his condition can be monitored more closely." | His official spokesman said: "He has been moved to a high-dependency unit, not because of a deterioration in his condition but so that his condition can be monitored more closely." |
Cabinet minister Peter Hain, who supported Mr Prescott's campaign to be Labour's deputy leader in 1994, said everyone in the party was wishing him a speedy recovery. | Cabinet minister Peter Hain, who supported Mr Prescott's campaign to be Labour's deputy leader in 1994, said everyone in the party was wishing him a speedy recovery. |
"I have sent my best wishes to John and his family," said Mr Hain, who is one of the candidates to succeed Mr Prescott in his party role. | "I have sent my best wishes to John and his family," said Mr Hain, who is one of the candidates to succeed Mr Prescott in his party role. |
In May, Mr Prescott announced he would step down as Labour deputy leader and deputy prime minister on 27 June - the same time as Prime Minister Tony Blair. | |
Medication announcement | Medication announcement |
During his 10 years as Mr Blair's deputy, Mr Prescott has been generally in good health. | During his 10 years as Mr Blair's deputy, Mr Prescott has been generally in good health. |
However, in 2002 it was announced he had suffered from type two diabetes for a number of years, managing the condition with medication. | However, in 2002 it was announced he had suffered from type two diabetes for a number of years, managing the condition with medication. |
And he was taken to hospital on Christmas Day 2006, when he was treated for kidney stones. | And he was taken to hospital on Christmas Day 2006, when he was treated for kidney stones. |
Pneumonia is an inflammation of the lungs, usually caused by an infection. | Pneumonia is an inflammation of the lungs, usually caused by an infection. |
Many different bacteria, viruses and even fungi can bring on the illness - although Mr Prescott's official spokesman said he did not know what had caused the pneumonia in his case. | Many different bacteria, viruses and even fungi can bring on the illness - although Mr Prescott's official spokesman said he did not know what had caused the pneumonia in his case. |
Symptoms include difficulty in breathing, chest pain, coughing and fever. It is frequently resolved within weeks. | Symptoms include difficulty in breathing, chest pain, coughing and fever. It is frequently resolved within weeks. |