Decision time looms as Hawke’s health wobbles

AFTER his latest trip to a Sydney hospital, former PM Bob Hawke has some serious decisions to make. The 88-year-old is now confined to a wheelchair and his $7 million multi-storey home just isn’t suitable anymore.

Former prime Minister Bob Hawke, here with wife Blanche d’Alpuget, on a recent visit to Melbourne, is now wheelchair dependent. Picture: Mark Stewart

BOB Hawke has been released from a Sydney hospital following his latest mystery health crisis.

The retired prime minister was released from a private Sydney hospital mid week though Labor Party sources were unable to furnish this column with detail concerning his latest confinement when contacted at week’s end.

It is two months since Hawke was rushed to Royal North Shore Hospital in an ambulance following what Labor MP Chris Bowen described at the time as a case of “the wobbles”.

Hawke's eldest daughter Sue Pieters-Hawke told a television network Hawke’s health emergency came after a fall and a bump to the head while his personal secretary said at the time that the veteran was “fine, but he will continue with rehabilitation”.

The former PM has had three trips to the hospital this year. Picture: Mark Stewart

Hawke’s latest stint in hospital is thought to be related to ongoing rehabilitation.

Now wheelchair dependant, the Labor Party stalwart and his wife, author Blanche d’Alpuget, will soon have to make some decisions about where the couple spend their final days.

The Hawkes live in a multi-storey cliff-hugging home in Northbridge which, although fitted with an elevator, is ill-suited to the ageing politician’s mobility needs.

The problem is the couple love their $7 million home with views over Middle Harbour and numerous balconies on which Hawke still enjoys chuffing on a good cigar.

His latest hospital admission is understood to be the third time Hawke, 88, has been hospitalised this year.