Key decision that could see Dan Andrews sidelined for months
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews could be off work for months and is facing the possibility of surgery after suffering from "serious injuries" in a horrifying fall at his home on Tuesday morning.
He was taken to hospital where doctors discovered he had broken several ribs and fractured his T7 vertebrae.
Doctors transferred him to a specialist trauma centre at The Alfred Hospital following an MRI.
On Wednesday night, a spokesperson for the government provided an update on the Premier's condition, announcing that: “On the advice of clinicians at The Alfred, there are no immediate plans for surgery.”
The Alfred’s ICU director associate professor Steve McGloughlin also revealed in a statement that Mr Andrews’ condition was stable.
“Mr Andrews is comfortable and his pain is well-controlled,” he said.
“A multidisciplinary team including intensive care, trauma and orthopaedic specialists has developed a treatment plan, together with the Andrews family.
“Mr Andrews has sustained some serious injuries, and his condition is being monitored closely. At this stage there is no immediate plan for surgery.”
However, speaking to The Age, a government insider revealed there was more than a 50 per cent chance Mr Andrews would require surgery, with the final decision to be made later this week.
It was also reported the Premier may not be able to work for close to three months as he recovers.
If he were to undergo spinal surgery, it would involve inserting screws and pins to reinforce the vertebrae, and a lengthy and tough recovery process.
Mr Andrews released a statement on the day of his accident thanking medics who had helped him, saying he, wife Cath and their children were “extremely grateful to the Ambulance Victoria paramedics who showed such care and kindness to our family this morning, as we are to the clinicians who have taken care of me today”.
“Our warm and sincere thanks go to the many family members, friends, colleagues and Victorians who have sent messages of love and support throughout the day. Thank you,” he said.
“I hope to be able to provide another update later this week. James Merlino will serve as Acting Premier while I recover over the next few days. For now, we’d like to ask that our family’s privacy is respected.”