Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has just issued a statement sharing the good news that he is out of ICU and will not need spinal surgery for now, after suffering a nasty fall this week.
On Tuesday, the Premier was was transported to hospital after slipping on wet stairs at a holiday home on the Mornington Peninsula. Andrews suffered a fracture of the T7 vertebrae in his mid-back, according to the ABC.
It was initially thought that Andrews would need spinal surgery to fix the damage, but according to a statement issued by the Premier this afternoon there won’t be a need for surgery at this stage.
“The good news is no surgery for now – but doctors tell me recovery and rehab is still going to be a very long journey,” Andrews said.
“Our thanks to the entire team at @AlfredHealth for their care and professionalism.
“Like all our health professionals, they are the best in Victoria.”
The good news is no surgery for now – but the doctors tell me recovery and rehab is still going to be a very long journey.
Our thanks to the entire team at @AlfredHealth for their care and professionalism.
Like all our health professionals, they are the best of Victoria. pic.twitter.com/8PFxKsUJrh
— Dan Andrews (@DanielAndrewsMP) March 13, 2021
Andrews will now move from the intensive care unit and into a ward at The Alfred hospital in Melbourne. Intensive Care Unit Director, Associate Professor Steve McGloughlin said the Premier was in good spirits and remained in a stable condition.
“Mr Andrews is comfortable and doing well,” McGloughlin said.
“There is no plan for surgery at this stage.”
What this means for Daniel Andrews and his position as Victorian Premier is still unknown at this stage. But the ABC estimates that his recovery time could be weeks or months, so it may be a while before he returns to active work.
In the meantime, Deputy Premier James Merlino will be Acting Premier of Victoria until Andrews is deemed able to return to work.
