# Victorian healthcare system challenges and reforms > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/victorian-healthcare-system-challenges-and-reforms > Updated: 2026-10-03T23:44:45.000Z. Sources: 4. Developments: 2. Healthcare professionals in Victoria are raising alarms regarding a significant increase in workplace violence. Reports indicate that incidents at public hospitals have risen by 44 per cent over the last three years, involving physical assaults such as biting, punching, and kicking, alongside sexualised or racialised verbal abuse. Medical colleges have expressed concern that these incidents are causing widespread burnout and psychological harm, leading to staff departures. In response, professional bodies are calling for urgent reforms ahead of the November state election, including the deployment of 24/7 trained security in emergency departments and the establishment of a specialised taskforce reporting directly to the health minister. In the context of the upcoming election, political proposals have also emerged to address systemic hospital issues. The Victorian opposition has suggested the ‘Surgery Sooner’ program to use private hospital capacity for public patients, as well as a $99 million ‘Patient Transit Lounge Fund’ to mitigate overcrowding and ambulance ramping by creating dedicated spaces for patients awaiting discharge. ## Timeline ### 2026-10-03: Victoria healthcare: Proposals to reduce surgery waits and overcrowding Victorian opposition leaders have proposed initiatives to tackle healthcare delays, including using private hospitals for public surgeries and investing $99 million in patient transit lounges. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/victoria-healthcare-proposals-to-reduce-surgery-waits-and-overcrowding ### 2026-09-19: Victoria healthcare workers demand urgent security reforms Victorian healthcare workers are demanding 24/7 security and urgent reforms following a 44 per cent rise in violent incidents at public hospital emergency departments over three years. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/victoria-healthcare-workers-demand-urgent-security-reforms --- Cite as: Victorian healthcare system challenges and reforms. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/victorian-healthcare-system-challenges-and-reforms