Sarah Gibson, the Member of Parliament for Chippenham in Wiltshire, has revealed she has been diagnosed with an autoimmune condition months after surviving a life-threatening viral infection.
Last Christmas, Ms. Gibson was admitted to intensive care at Bath’s Royal United Hospital (RUH) due to pericarditis, an inflammation of the heart lining triggered by the flu. At one point, medical staff were uncertain if she would recover.
In March, she began a gradual return to her parliamentary duties in Westminster. However, she recently announced she will need to return to hospital for a short period of closely monitored treatment to manage her newly diagnosed autoimmune condition.
READ MORE: Glastonbury 2025 Weather Forecast: What to Expect Two Weeks Before the Festival
READ MORE: Somerset Couple Celebrates Joyful Arrival of Their IVF ‘Modern Miracle’ Baby
In a statement, Ms. Gibson expressed her gratitude to the medical team: “Following a series of tests, my doctors have discovered that I have developed an autoimmune condition. The nature of this condition means I will require a short period of monitored treatment at the hospital. Over the last six months, I have been closely monitored by the fantastic team at the RUH. Their care and attention have been extraordinary.”
The Liberal Democrat MP, who won her seat from the Conservatives in last July’s General Election, affirmed her commitment to serving her constituents: “I remain fully dedicated to working on your behalf, albeit virtually, and my office will continue to operate fully during my treatment.”