A Melbourne surgeon has died almost a month after being punched in the head in the foyer of Box Hill Hospital, police have said.

Key points: Patrick Prizwald-Stegmann remembered as a passionate, decent man

Patrick Prizwald-Stegmann remembered as a passionate, decent man He had been on life support for a month

He had been on life support for a month Police may review charge laid against man accused of assault

Thornbury man Patrick Pritzwald-Stegmann, 41, was allegedly attacked on May 30.

The husband and father of two had spent the last four weeks in a critical condition in The Alfred Hospital, and died overnight.

"Our family is devastated by Patrick's passing," his family said in a statement.

"We are grateful for the compassion and support we have received from friends, colleagues and the broader community over recent weeks.

"During this difficult time we ask that we are given the space and privacy we need."

People have been laying flowers outside Box Hill Hospital. ( ABC News: Darryl Torpy )

Police said the Homicide Squad was now involved and investigators would wait for a post mortem before reviewing the charge.

During a previous court hearing, police said they believed Mr Pritzwald-Stegmann was attacked after the pair argued over smoking near the hospital.

The court was told the entire incident was caught on CCTV.

The chief executive of Eastern Health, which runs Box Hill Hospital, David Plunkett, said Mr Pritzwald-Stegmann was a decent and genuine human being.

"Patrick was a passionate patient advocate, a generous teacher and had particular skill in thoracic surgery," he said in a statement.

"His work was truly outstanding and his commitment and dedication will be sorely missed by his colleagues, friends and patients.

"Patrick not only leaves a lasting legacy as a surgeon but as a decent and genuine human being dedicated to the wellbeing of others.

Health Minister Jill Hennessy said Mr Pritzwald-Stegmann was a fine father, husband and surgeon.

"Today is a very sad day because a wife has lost her husband, children have lost their father, colleagues have lost their friend," she said.

"I think most Victorians would be sending their love and compassion to Patrick's family as we all grieve his loss."

Drug, alcohol-affected violence on the increase

Mr Pritzwald-Stegmann was a cardiac and thoracic surgeon who had studied in New Zealand, according to the Epworth Health Centre.

He spent time working in large cardiothoracic centres in Europe before practising in Australia..

The alleged assault led to calls to improve security for staff at hospitals and health facilities across the state.

Both the Australian Medical Association and the Australian Nurses Federation said it was a "tipping point", and many doctors and nurses had real fear about their safety at work.

Neurosurgeon Michael Wong, who almost died when he was stabbed while working at a hospital in Footscray in 2014, said it was a tragedy there had been no improvements since he was attacked.

In response, the Victorian Government doubled funding for security at public hospitals, including a boost to security guards, secured entrances and equipment such as stab-proof vests.

Loading

"We know we've got a lot of work to do to improve the safety and security in our health system," Ms Hennessy said.

"It's just not acceptable for someone to go to work one day and not come home to their family."

The Royal Australasian College of Surgeons said violence at hospitals had increased over the past decade, particularly involving alcohol and drug-affected patients.

It commended the steps taken by the Victorian Government to address the security concerns.

Today, Dr Wong said his thoughts were with Dr Pritzwald-Stegmann's family and friends.

He said the changes, like behavioural assessment rooms to be introduced in emergency departments to help deal with risky patients, only addressed known threats.

"You also have to improve security in areas where you may not know the threat is coming, like in the hospital foyer because it's a very busy public area, or the busy outpatient clinic," he said.

We want security: AMA

The Australian Medical Association's Victorian branch said Mr Pritzwald-Stegmann's death was "avoidable and it should not have happened".

Mr Pritzwald-Stegmann worked at Box Hill Hospital, where he was allegedly attacked. ( Supplied )

"That one of our colleagues has died is devastating, but to think that every day health workers face violence in a setting that should arguably be safe is even more so," its president Dr Lorraine Baker said.

"We know the Government is sincere in wanting to address this. We don't want simple, short solutions.

"We want it do be done well. We want security. We want security for workers and we want security for patients and their families."

The Opposition's Mary Wooldridge said random acts of violence were too common in Victoria.

"We all need to work together to make sure that our communities and workplaces, especially hospitals, are safe and that violence is never acceptable."