Daniel Andrews had admitted he has a ‘very long journey’ ahead after severely injuring his back and ribs in a horror fall.
Tweeting from his hospital bed after being moved from the intensive care unit to a ward at Melbourne’s The Alfred hospital, the Victorian premier said he was not due to undergo surgery ‘for now’.
The father-of-two badly hurt his T7 veterbrae and cracked several ribs during a horror fall at a Mornington Peninsula holiday home on Tuesday morning.
While surgeons have so far delayed operating, it is understood they hold ‘significant concerns’ for his health.
‘The good news is no surgery for now,’ he wrote.
‘But the doctors tell me recovery and rehab is still going to be a very long journey.’
Daniel Andrews (pictured with his wife Catherine) admitted he will need extensive recovery and rehab after his horror fall
The Victorian premier tweeted on Saturday (pictured) to give the update on his condition
Intensive care unit director, Professor Steve McGloughlin, said the premier was in ‘good spirits’ and was in a stable condition.
‘Mr Andrews is comfortable and doing well,’ he said.
‘There is no plan for surgery at this stage.’
So bad are Mr Andrews’ injuries that fears are increasing that he may never return as Victorian premier.
Daniel Andrews (pictured with wife Catherine) may never return as Victorian premier after a horror fall while he was getting ready for work at a holiday home, according to radio presenter Neil Mitchell
Mitchell, a leading Melbourne radio presenter, said he understands it will be a long road ahead for the Premier.
‘This is serious stuff. Despite the bravado – and I can understand that from the ministers – nobody can be sure he’ll return as premier,’ he said on 3AW.
‘I am sure he wants to, I’m sure he intends to and he probably will, but at this stage, nobody really knows.
‘I know I disagree with him on a lot of things, a lot of us do, but in the end, we wish him well.’
The premier said the ‘good news’ is that he won’t need surgery to repair his T7 vertebrae ‘for now’
Acting Premier James Merlino on Thursday said Mr Andrews would eventually return to lead the state.
‘I spoke personally with Dan this morning… his focus is getting better and the care that he needs,’ he said.
Mr Andrews also suffered fractures to his left and right ribs, with concern growing over his spine following subsequent CAT scans.
The vertebrae injury is considered very serious and surgery would have likely involve adding reinforcing screws and pins.
Orthopaedic spine surgeon John Cunningham said the kind of fracture the Premier suffered would be painful.
‘It can cause immobility and I would expect the pain to last if not three, maybe six months,’ Dr Cunningham told Nine News.
‘These fractures can be really common and often caused by minor trauma, but the pain from them can persist for quite some time.
‘Fortunately they don’t all end up in paraplegia.’
A government source said there still remains a ’50-50 chance’ Mr Andrews will require surgery on his spine.
However the head of the intensive care unit where Mr Andrews is recovering said there were no immediate plans for him to go under the knife.
Mr Merlino (pictured) revealed Victorians will have a much clearer picture of Mr Andrews’s recovery in the coming days and assured residents they will get regular updates on the premier’s condition
Daniel Andrews fractured his T7 vertebrae (pictured), which is in the middle of his spine after slipping on wet stairs at a Mornington Peninsula holiday rental
Mr Merlino, who has been deputy premier since 2014, sought to reassure Victorians he would be able to fill Mr Andrews’ shoes for a longer period if required.
‘We made a commitment back in 2014 when we first came into government to not waste a day,’ he said.
‘Government will continue. I’ll be the acting premier, leading cabinet.’
Mr Andrews was initially treated at Peninsula Private Hospital but transferred to Alfred Trauma Centre in Melbourne after specialists assessed an MRI scan.
Associate Professor Steve McGloughlin, the head of the intensive care unit at The Alfred hospital said the premier was ‘comfortable and his pain is well-controlled’.
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 statement from Mr Andrews on Tuesday revealed a series of horrific injuries uncovered by a CT scan (pictured)
‘A multidisciplinary team including intensive care, trauma and orthopaedic specialists has developed a treatment plan, together with the Andrews family,’ Prof McGloughlin said late on Wednesday.
‘Mr Andrews has sustained some serious injuries and his condition is being monitored closely. At this stage there is no immediate plan for surgery.’
He has been cleared of any internal or head injuries.
‘Heartfelt thanks to the entire team at @AlfredHealth for taking such good care of me. We’re so very grateful,’ Mr Andrews tweeted on Wednesday.