Lady Thatcher leaves hospital

Baroness Thatcher left hospital today after being given a "clean bill of health" by doctors.

She told waiting reporters: "I'm fine, I'm fine. I feel fine."

Her private secretary said Lady Thatcher had been treated in a private single room on the coronary ward at the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital in London.

Mark Worthington said: "Staff have been absolutely wonderful.

"She could not have had better or more attentive care and she is extremely grateful for all the kindness and care shown to her."

He said Lady Thatcher's children Mark and Carol, who are both currently overseas, had been made aware of the situation and were due to travel back to London in the next few days.

During her time in hospital Lady Thatcher had received no visitors but new Tory leader David Cameron had sent a message wishing her a "speedy recovery".

Mr Worthington said Lady Thatcher is expected to take it easy for the rest of the week but hopes to be "back to normal" on Monday.

Looking frail and shielding her eyes from camera flashes, Lady Thatcher left the hospital just after 11.20am.

The former prime minister, who was wearing a blue suit and pearls, was escorted to the door by the nurse in charge of the coronary care unit, Alison Bawden.

She paused briefly at the doorway in front of waiting photographers before being driven away in a green Jaguar.

Hospital spokesman Mark Purcell said Lady Thatcher had seemed a "model patient".

"We are used to having VIPs visiting or being patients in the hospital and it was a delight to have Mrs Thatcher with us for a short period of time and we are very pleased she has been able to go home.

"The staff upstairs said she was a model patient," he said.

Mr Worthington said Lady Thatcher had spent the morning with doctors and having her hair done.

"She saw the consultant, she had her hair done, had a cup of coffee and she's raring to go back home," he said.

Lord Bell told ITV News Channel that Lady Thatcher began to be "difficult" during her stay in hospital and was keen to go home.

He told the Live with Alastair Stewart Show: "I do not think anyone overreacted, but they were very cautious. She was looked at last night. They did a few tests and everybody was very happy.

"I was told this morning that she was beginning to be difficult, which is usually a very good sign that she is feeling fine."

He added: "I think she was beginning to wonder why she was still in hospital and what she was doing there and why she could not go home. So I do not think there is anything to worry about."