A team of intensive care and trauma specialists have developed a treatment plan for Victorian Premier Danial Andrews after he sustained ‘serious injuries’ in a horrific fall.
The Victorian Premier slipped on wet stairs and fractured his spine while getting ready for work at a rented holiday home on the Mornington Peninsula on Tuesday morning.
The head of the intensive care unit at Alfred Hospital in Melbourne has confirmed his injuries are serious, but said he is in a stable condition and there are no immediate plans for surgery.
A multidisciplinary team including intensive care and trauma specialists have developed a treatment plan for Victorian Premier Danial Andrews (pictured) after he sustained ‘serious injuries’ in a horrific fall
The head of the intensive care unit at Alfred Hospital in Melbourne has confirmed his injuries are serious, but said he is in a stable condition and there are no immediate plans for surgery
‘Mr Andrews is comfortable and his pain is well-controlled,’ Alfred’s Director of Intensive Care Unit Associate Professor Steve McGloughlin said in a statement.
‘A multidisciplinary team including intensive care, trauma and orthopaedic specialists has developed a treatment plan, along 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.’
Mr Andrews tweeted the statement, saying ‘Heartfelt thanks to the entire team at The Alfred Hospital for taking such good care of me. We’re so very grateful.’
Previously, Orthopaedic surgeon Dr John Cunningham (pictured) said the Victorian leader’s injuries could be significantly worse than initially anticipated
Mr Andrews was placed in intensive care after scans revealed he cracked multiple ribs and injured the T7 vertebrae in the middle of his spine, before he was moved to the specialist trauma centre at Alfred hospital in Melbourne overnight.
Previously, orthopaedic surgeon Dr John Cunningham had said the injuries are significantly worse than initially anticipated.
He is likely to endure significant pain and have reduced mobility for many weeks, the expert warned.
Mr Cunningham, while not Mr Andrews’ doctor, has been working at the Royal Melbourne hospital for a decade and based his analysis off the description of the premier’s injuries.
He described the accident as ‘tragic’.
‘From what I’ve heard of his injuries I think he’ll be in a lot of pain and discomfort for some weeks to come,’ he told NCA NewsWire.
‘It may depend on whether he requires a brace or an operation on his back, but I expect as the injuries have been described to me that this accident will leave him with greatly reduced mobility.’
Back surgery would require inserting screws or pins into his spine, if it eventually goes ahead.
Daniel Andrews fractured his T7 vertebrae (pictured), which is in the middle of his spine
Pictured: Mr Andrews and his wife Catherine. Mr Andrews said his wife and children were grateful to paramedics for supporting his family after the fall
A statement from Mr Andrews on Tuesday revealed a series of horrific injuries uncovered by a CT scan (pictured)
The Victorian Premier’s office initially said the fall on Tuesday morning was ‘concerning’ but the leader had not suffered any head injuries.
But a statement from Mr Andrews that afternoon revealed a series of horrific injuries uncovered by a CT scan – leaving him in hospital for several more days.
Mr Andrews had been due to attend a press conference on Tuesday morning and would have travelled from the holiday home.
‘Early this morning, I was admitted to hospital after slipping and falling on wet and slippery stairs,’ he said.
Mr Andrews (pictured) had been due to attend a press conference on Tuesday morning and would have travelled from the holiday home
Mr Andrews’ transfer from Peninsula Private Hospital to Alfred hospital (pictured) on Tuesday could indicate a ‘significant spinal injury’
‘A CT scan has revealed several broken ribs and vertebrae damage, and subsequent medical advice has recommended I remain in intensive care for the next few days.
‘James Merlino will serve as Acting Premier while I recover over the next few days.
‘I hope to be able to provide another update later this week. For now, we’d like to ask that our family’s privacy is respected.’
He added that his wife Catherine and their three children Grace, Noah and Joseph were grateful to paramedics who ‘showed such care and kindness to our family this morning’.
The state leader thanked friends and colleagues who sent messages of support throughout the day, and hopes to provide another update later this week.