Denis Thatcher leaves hospital

Sir Denis: The perfect patient

Sir Denis Thatcher left hospital on Tuesday - 11 days after a coronary bypass operation.

The 87-year-old was full of smiles as he left Harley Street Clinic in central London, accompanied by his son Mark.

I am happy to be leaving in a better state than that which I arrived

Sir Denis Thatcher

The husband of Conservative former Prime Minister Baroness Thatcher, walked with a stick and quipped: "I survived thanks to the skill of the hospital staff."

As they watched him leave, Sir Denis raised his hat and declared: "I would like to thank and to compliment all of the staff, doctors and surgeons.

"I am happy to be leaving in a better state than that which I arrived."

Sir Denis had the six-hour operation on 17 January after complaining of feeling "off colour".

'Good patient'

His speedy recovery is regarded as remarkable - he was expected to be in hospital for at least two weeks after the operation.

Lady Thatcher visited her husband en route to a memorial service

He was cared for by cardiologist Dr John Muir and surgeon Charles Pattison.

A spokesman for the Harley Street Clinic said: "He did exceptionally well - he was a very good patient. It was a straight forward recovery with no problems."

Lady Thatcher spent 40 minutes with her husband earlier on Tuesday before leaving to attend a memorial service for former Tory MP Sir George Gardiner in Westminster.

Falklands

Wearing a black coat, she used a handrail to steady herself as she walked down the hospital's steps.

Last year, Baroness Thatcher turned down an invitation to visit the Falklands, saying the trip would have been "too gruelling" for her husband.

Sir Denis bids hospital staff farewell

The trip would have marked the 20th anniversary of the battle to recapture the islands.

Sir Denis is said to have been the key influence in persuading his wife to bow out of public speaking after she suffered a series of slight strokes.

She has defied doctors, however, by attending a number of functions.

Baroness Thatcher said she could not have made it to the top without him.

They have been married for more than 50 years, including 11 at Downing Street.