Surgeon Patrick Pritzwald-Stegman died in June after being attacked outside Box Hill Hospital. Credit:Epworth Health "We are grateful for the compassion and support we have received from friends, colleagues and the broader community over recent weeks," they said. "During this difficult time we ask that we are given the space and privacy we need." The respected surgeon was heading home after work when he became involved in an altercation with a man. It is understood he was concerned about people smoking near the hospital entrance when the alleged assault occurred. Police allege the surgeon was hit in the face and fell to the ground unconscious.

Mill Park man Joseph Esmaili has been charged with intentionally and recklessly causing serious injury in relation to the incident and has been remanded in custody. A police spokeswoman said the investigation would now be overseen by homicide detectives, in light of the death. "Investigators will now await the results of a post-mortem before reviewing charges," she said. Dr Pritzwald-Stegmann graduated in 2002 with a bachelor of medicine and bachelor of surgery at the University of Otago in Dunedin, New Zealand. He was based at the Epworth Eastern hospital at Box Hill and was described as a skilled surgeon, with special interests in heart valve and aortic surgery.

Tributes began flowing for Dr Pritzwald-Stegmann on Wednesday morning, with Eastern Health's chief executive Adjunct Professor David Plunkett saying he was a "respected and admired member" of the hospital. "Patrick was a passionate patient advocate, a generous teacher and had particular skill in thoracic surgery," he said. "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." Mr Plunkett said the surgeon's family had requested privacy.

Victorian Health Minister Jill Hennessy said her thoughts had been with Dr Pritzwald-Stegmann and his family over the past few weeks as he courageously battled in hospital. "Our compassion and care is now with his loved ones and friends enduring this devastation and heartbreak. So too it is with those that worked alongside him at Box Hill Hospital and, indeed, all of those across our health system who considered Patrick a colleague," she said. Dr Pritzwald-Stegmann's extended family had travelled to Australia from overseas to be at his bedside. Earlier this year, Fairfax Media revealed hospitals were putting violent patients into comas as a last resort to protect staff who were being sprayed with blood, held hostage, and bashed on the job. Fairfax Media reported last year that there were 8627 reports of occupational violence in Victoria's public hospitals in the year to July, including 1166 that resulted in staff injury or illness.

The Australian Medical Association Victoria, Lorraine Baker, said the attack had triggered anxiety among healthcare workers in Victoria and brought back experiences of verbal abuse and violence perpetrated against them at work. "We have enough data to know that this problem must be addressed and we will continue to push for significant improvement in workplace safety," she said. The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation said a change in attitude by government and hospital executives was needed to make hospitals safe places to work. "The people who work in our hospitals, health system and ambulance service, caring for others, should not be at risk of violent attack," said Victorian secretary Lisa Fitzpatrick. "The families of doctors, nurses, midwives and paramedics should not have to worry if they will come home safely tonight."