The surgeon who was punched in the lobby of a Melbourne hospital has died from his injuries four weeks after the attack.
Patrick Pritzwald-Stegmann died at The Alfred hospital on Tuesday in the intensive care unit, where he has been since May 31. He was in a critical condition after undergoing emergency brain surgery after the assault.
The surgeon was on his way home from work when he became engaged in an altercation in the hotel’s foyer, after he reportedly asked some people to stop smoking near the entrance to the hospital. Police allege he was struck in the face and fell to the ground.
Police say that the case will now be handled by homicide detectives. “Investigators will now await the results of a post mortem before reviewing charges,” a spokesperson said.
Pritzwald-Stegmann has been described by colleagues as a skilled surgeon, with particular interests in heart valve and aortic surgery.
Eastern Health‘s chief executive Adjunct Professor David Plunkett told The Age that Pritzwald-Stegmann 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. 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.
In the wake of the attack, Health Minister Jill Hennessy promised to double the funding for initiatives aimed at protecting health service staff.
Source: The Age.
Photo: Supplied.
