MPS’ working hours gave me a stroke, says ex-minister
NORMAN LAMB, the former Liberal Democrat health minister, has disclosed that he recently suffered a stroke, which he blamed on long work- ing days and lack of sleep.
Mr Lamb said that he woke with double vision at his London flat a fortnight ago and was admitted to hospital with a “minor stroke”. The Norfolk MP, 60, said that he was lucky to have suffered no lasting damage and considered the incident to be a “second chance”.
“You never think it is going to happen to you and then suddenly you are told you’ve had a stroke,” he told the Eastern Daily Press. “It was a lifechanging moment.”
Mr Lamb, the Lib Dem health spokesman, added that the strain of working seven days a week and sleeping for just four to five hours was likely to have been a factor.
“I’ve got to work smarter,” he said. “When a doctor tells you about the importance of sleep, you have to take notice.
“I’ve had to have a massive re-evaluation. I owe it to Mary [my wife], who
has put up with a massive amount with the job that I do and the way I do it. It is all-consuming. It is seven days a week.
“But that is the way I’ve wanted to do it. What I have to recognise now is I have to make adjustments. There is no point killing myself.”
Mr Lamb plans to return to Westminster in time for the next session of Parliament, which starts next week.