FED: Phelps hospitalised after major lung blockage

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FED: Phelps hospitalised after major lung blockage

By Graeme Webber

SYDNEY, April 6 AAP - Australia's highest profile doctor Kerryn Phelps is in a Sydneyhospital tonight after suffering blood clots to her lungs.

The 46-year-old president of the Australian Medical Association (AMA) sought specialisttreatment after feeling breathless last Thursday.

Dr Phelps was immediately admitted to intensive care at St Vincent's Private Hospital.

News of her ailment only emerged today when she failed to appear at a doctors' rally in Sydney.

Her partner Jackie Stricker said Dr Phelps was making a good recovery from the pulmonaryembolism, but she was lucky to be alive.

"The whole issue was that it can be life threatening, so she spent 24 hours in intensivecare on Thursday," Ms Stricker told AAP.

"I know that she feels lucky to be alive. It was a flip of a coin situation.

"Her condition's improving every day ... she's past her danger period."

"She's tired but she will have made a full recovery in two weeks."

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KEYWORD: PHELPS CLOTS