Badenoch MSP returns to work after serious illness
Badenoch MSP Dave Thompson has returned to work after more than three months away from his desk after he had to undergo surgery for what can be a potential life-threatening condition.
Mr Thompson (SNP) had a chronic bilateral subdural haematoma and underwent a successful operation to correct the problem at the end of August.
The condition is often due to a head injury but it can also occur spontaneously and this appears to be what has happened in the case of the local MSP.
His staff have been dealing with constituency work since August and Mike MacKenzie MSP has also been assisting with constituency business.
Following a recent MRI scan and subsequent advice from his neurosurgeons, Mr Thompson has now returned to work part-time with Mr MacKenzie continuing to assist him with constituency business until his recovery is complete.
Mr Thompson said. "Thank you to all the kind folk that have treated me and cared for me while I have been recuperating. I am pleased to be returning to work in this historic week."
A spokesman for the MSP said: "This is, without question, a serious condition and, while Dave has made an excellent recovery, he has been advised by his doctors to return to work gradually."
Mr Mackenzie said. "I am delighted that Dave is returning to work as he has been greatly missed by all of us in the Scottish Parliament and very pleased to assist and share the workload as he gets back to full strength."
A subdural haematoma is usually associated with traumatic brain injury, when blood gathers within the outermost meningeal layer, between the dura mater, which adheres to the skull, and the arachnoid mater, which envelops the brain.
Usually resulting from tears in bridging veins which cross the subdural space, subdural hemorrhages may cause an increase in intracranial pressure (ICP), which can cause compression of and damage to delicate brain tissue.
Subdural hematomas are often life-threatening when acute. Chronic subdural hematomas, however, have better prognosis if properly managed.
