The general secretary of the civil service’s biggest trade union has undergone a successful heart transplant, the Public and Commercial Services union announced.
Mark Serwotka had spent the past three months carrying out his duties from Papworth Hospital in Cambridgeshire while on standby for a life-saving operation.
Serwotka had been kept alive with the aid of a mechanical pump for the past two years, after a virus caused his heart to fail.
PCS members reject "unnecessary and unfair" Civil Service Compensation Scheme changes
Compensation Scheme changes to kick in tomorrow – as PCS blasts "despicable act of bad faith"
PCS boss Mark Serwotka urges union to back Jeremy Corbyn's Labour
He was admitted to hospital at the end of August and categorised as in “urgent” need of a heart transplant when his heart pump developed a clot.
A statement from the PCS on Thursday said the union was “delighted” to announce that Serwotka had undergone a successful transplant at the weekend and that doctors were “very happy” with the way his new heart was performing.
“This is fantastic news for his family – his wife, Ruth and children Imogen and Rhys – and for the union, and we know everyone sends their best wishes,” a spokesman said.
“The union sends our heartfelt thanks and admiration to all the team at Papworth who have provided world-class care and kept Mark’s spirits up during the last three months.
“Mark’s family have also asked us to thank all those people who have sent cards and messages over the past few months.
“They have really appreciated the support and it has given them a big boost during this time.”
PCS said Serwotka, who is 53, would continue recuperating in hospital before returning home.