Date: 12th December 2006
Released by: ANDREW TURNER

You may have heard that Andrew suffered a stroke on Friday evening and is currently recovering in the Wessex Neurological Centre at Southampton General Hospital. Doctors are very pleased with his progress so far, and he is able to sit up and communicate. He has lost neither his sense of humour nor his appetite! Carole is with him and he had enjoyed visits from his family and close friends.

Andrew very much appreciates the many cards, notes and emails he has received wishing him a speedy recovery – they mean a great deal to him. He is also grateful for the support so many people have given to Carole, which has enabled her to be with him during these difficult few days.

Over the next few days it will become clearer what the next steps will be, but it is likely that he will remain in Southampton for at least 7 – 10 days and then receive rehabilitation treatment on the Island.

The treatment and care that Andrew received from the Isle of Wight Ambulance Service and the Accident and Emergency department at St. Mary’s Hospital during the first few hours was first class, and he is being very well cared for by the Neurological team in Southampton. He is very grateful to everyone who has been involved in his medical care and support.

It is clear that it will take a while before it is business as usual, but he has every confidence that Kath, Vikki and Laura in his constituency office (supported by our enthusiastic volunteer Rio) will continue to do the fantastic job they always do, and will deal efficiently and capably with all constituency work. They will clearly have a larger workload than usual, so please bear with them at this time, Andrew cannot thank them enough for their hard work and support.

Regarding Parliamentary business, many of Andrew’s colleagues have been in touch offering to assist, and Peter Bottomley MP, Desmond Swayne MP and Julian Lewis MP will be taking special responsibility to ensure that the interests of the Island will continue to be represented until Andrew is fighting fit again, Andrew is incredibly appreciative of their kind offers of support.

Andrew would also like to thank the local media for the sensitive way in which they are covering this news; they have been incredibly sympathetic towards both Andrew and Carole, which has meant a great deal to them both.

As and when there are any significant updates on Andrew’s progress, further details will of course be posted here on the website.

The girls in the constituency office are doing a fantastic job, and have already taken so many very kind messages of support from so many people; however, if you would like to leave a message for Andrew, please feel free to send an email to mail@islandmp.com.