BBC News | SCOTLAND | Dewar condition improves

Donald Dewar is said to be making "satisfactory" progress, two days after major heart surgery in Glasgow.

Scotland's first minister is said to have had a "reasonably comfortable" night in Glasgow Royal Infirmary, where he underwent a four-hour operation on Monday.

Mr Dewar has received many expressions of good wishes, including a letter from Tony Blair and one from an ex-miner in England, who described his own recovery from a similar operation.

On Tuesday, the surgeon who performed the procedure to replace a leaking heart valve, said Mr Dewar was making a "particularly speedy" recovery.

Kenneth Davidson said the fault had been "quite severe" and it was important to operate quickly.

He described the operation as a success, and added there was no reason to think that Mr Dewar would require further surgery.

Donald Dewar: Three months out
The 62-year-old Labour politician was taken off a ventilator and has been chatting to staff.

He is likely to be away from his job for at least three months. Deputy First Minister and Scottish Liberal Democrat Leader, Jim Wallace, has taken over at the Scottish Executive in his absence.

Mr Dewar was admitted to hospital on Sunday after routine tests last month uncovered the faulty aortic valve.

An executive spokesman, who had played down press speculation that the heart damage was much worse than first thought, said the operation had been a success.

He has been visited by his son, Ian, and his daughter, Marion, who have been in Scotland since the weekend and are expected to stay in Glasgow for some time while the first minister recovers.

Ministers sent Mr Dewar a bunch of red and yellow roses, reflecting the coalition colours.


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