Viewers spot 'concerning' detail on live TV before MP's shock diagnosis

The NSW member for Ryde has thanked concerned viewers who reached out to him after noticing his eye was drooping during a Covid press conference on Wednesday morning.

MP and Minister for Customer Service and Digital at NSW Government Victor Dominello revealed on Wednesday afternoon that he'd been diagnosed with Bell's palsy, a type of facial paralysis that results in a temporary inability to control the facial muscles.

Posting to LinkedIn, Mr Dominello explained a number of people had contacted him in regards to his droopy eye, prompting him to visit his doctor.

"Some people thought - I was winking at the cameraman. Some thought I had a stroke," he wrote.

"I have actually been diagnosed with Bell’s palsy."

The MP continued, saying 48 hours earlier he'd woken up with "a pain in my skull behind my right ear".

"This morning I woke up with pins and needles on the right side of my tongue," he said.

"I only got it checked this afternoon - after a number of people reached out to see if I was ok."

A reminder for people to look after themselves

Mr Dominello said he posted about his condition to remind people to look after their health.

"We are focused on Covid but there are plenty of other health problems going on," he said.

"If you have any health concerns - please get them looked after.

"Thanks to staff at Royal North Shore - we are blessed to live in a country with this health system."

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What is Bell's palsy?

According to the Mayo Clinic, Bell's palsy is a temporary condition, and in most cases will improve in a matter of weeks, with complete recovery taking around six months.

Symptoms can come on suddenly, and can include:

• Mild weakness to total paralysis on one side of your face — occurring within hours to days

• Difficulty making facial expressions, such as closing your eye or smiling

• Drooling

• Pain around the jaw or in or behind your ear on the affected side

• Increased sensitivity to sound on the affected side

• Headache

• A loss of taste

• Changes in the amount of tears and saliva you produce

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