John Howard remains in hospital after emergency appendicitis surgery

Former Prime Minister John Howard will remain in hospital for several days following emergency surgery, it’s been revealed.

Former Australian Prime Minister John Howard is set to spend several days recovering in hospital, after having emergency surgery on Monday afternoon.

The 81-year-old, who is our nation’s oldest living former PM, had a “sudden attack of appendicitis”, and was taken to hospital in an ambulance after going to visit his GP early yesterday.

Since his operation, Mr Howard has assured wellwishers that he is being “very well cared for”, and his wife Jeanette is by his side.

“I spoke to him this morning,” a spokeswoman for Mr Howard told news.com.au, adding he’s “recovering well” at Sydney’s Royal North Shore Public hospital.

“He thinks he will be in hospital for a few days. He just wants people to know is being very well cared for.”

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Reports Mr Howard, had been hospitalised began circulating yesterday, sparking panic.

Sky News political editor Andrew Clennell reported he had talked to Mr Howard and there was no cause for alarm, with the former leader saying he’s “fine”.

Former PM John Howard is recovering in hospital after emergency appendicitis surgery on Monday. Picture: Travis Anderson

Mr Howard, 81, is Australia’s oldest living former prime minister. Picture: David Hossac

Monday’s emergency comes just over five years after Mr Howard experienced a tightness in his chest while playing golf and was treated for a heart condition in 2015.

Mr Howard, then 75, had two stents inserted in February of that year because of blockages in the arteries, a spokesman said at the time.

He was PM from 1996-2007 – making him the second-longest serving leader after Sir Robert Menzies.