Neurosurgeon stabbed at Vic hospital

Visitors and medical staff helped drag a neurosurgeon away after he was repeatedly stabbed in the foyer of a Melbourne hospital.

The doctor was attacked as he arrived at the Western Hospital in Footscray on Tuesday morning.

Inspector Tony Long said a number of people were in the foyer at the time and visitors and medical staff helped the victim.

"They have acted very bravely as the offender with the knife was still present," Insp Long told reporters at the scene.

"They have been able to drag him away and he was taken to the emergency department."

He said it was a quick, instantaneous event and the man may have threatened others with the knife.

"It is believed he may have pointed the knife at other people who came close but at this stage that's still being investigated."

The 43-year-old neurosurgeon was stabbed a number of times.

He has undergone surgery and is in a serious condition, but his injuries are not considered to be life-threatening.

Police said it appeared to be a direct confrontation between the offender and the doctor, but they aren't sure if the two knew each other.

Security staff kept an eye on the attacker until police arrived at the hospital a few minutes after receiving the emergency call.

Insp Long said the officers confronted the armed man in the front foyer and he dropped the knife when asked.

Police aren't yet sure why the man was at the hospital.

Western Hospital acting CEO Russell Harrison said at this stage the offender was not believed to have been a patient at the hospital.

He said the neurosurgeon had just parked his car and walked into the hospital entrance when he was attacked.

The hospital remained open with people diverted to other entrances.

A 48-year-old North Sunshine man is expected to appear in court shortly charged with attempted murder.