‘Won Tattslotto’: Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews returns home after spinal injury

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has returned home after he was discharged from hospital on Monday morning to begin rehabilitation for a spinal injury.

Mr Andrews released a statement on Monday afternoon saying he was pleased to return home after six days in hospital and flagging he would be off work for six weeks.

“It’s been a long, painful and difficult week. As you know, at around 6.30am last Tuesday, I fell heavily on wooden steps at the front of a rental beach house that our family had been staying at for the long weekend,” he said.

“I landed flat on my back and hit the steps hard directly below the shoulder blades, fracturing at least five ribs and sustaining an acute compression fracture of the T7 vertebra. I narrowly avoided permanent damage to my spinal cord.”

Mr Andrews said the serious injuries meant he had to wear a brace all day except when he was sleeping.

On medical advice and to allow for comprehensive physiotherapy, Mr Andrews said he would take a six-week leave of absence.

In the meantime Deputy Premier James Merlino would act as Premier.

“Of course, I will remain in regular contact with James and my other colleagues and staff,” he said.

“It’s important that I take this rest and recovery seriously as one trauma specialist said to Cath and I last week, ‘you very narrowly avoided a life-changing injury, you should buy a Tattslotto ticket, you are very lucky to be here in one piece’.

“I’m not sure about the Tattslotto ticket but I’m certain that with rest, continued high quality care and the support of family, friends, colleagues and the Victorian community, I’ll be back doing the job I love as soon as possible.”

Mr Andrews said he wanted to make special mention of the Ambulance Victoria paramedics and hospital staff who had cared for him.

“I’m grateful to be a Victorian patient and proud of our Victorian health system,” he said. “I would ask that media and others respect my privacy and that of my family during this time.”

The Alfred’s director of trauma services Mark Fitzgerald said in a statement on Monday that the team of specialists caring for Mr Andrews was pleased with his progress, though he reinforced the importance of time in healing from such serious injuries.

“Mr Andrews has responded well without surgery so far, and the work to improve his strength and mobility must now begin,” Professor Fitzgerald said.

“As the rehabilitation journey gets underway, we will watch closely for any signs of worsening spinal stability or alignment, as well as the development of other complications.”

The Premier was injured when he fell on wet and slippery stairs last Tuesday morning, at a home on the Mornington Peninsula.

He was initially taken to Peninsula Private Hospital before being moved to The Alfred trauma centre. X-rays revealed he broke ribs on his left and right sides but suffered no head injuries.

Professor Fitzgerald said when a person had a spinal injury of this nature, stability and alignment of the spine could be maintained without surgery.

“When upright, a brace is worn to stabilise the spine, maintain alignment, and help to control pain. Physiotherapy treatment is key at this time.

“Any deterioration may lead to a need for surgery down the track, however, we are gradually progressing in the right direction at this time,” he said.

- With Michael Fowler

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