Regional Victorian doctors strike over exhaustion and unsafe conditions

Hundreds of doctors at two major regional Victorian hospitals walked off the job for four hours, marking the first doctor strike in 20 years over exhaustion, low morale, and stressful working conditions. Doctors from Ballarat Base Hospital and Bendigo Health cited excessive shift lengths, lack of breaks, and fatigue, with some saying they were near breaking point. The Australian Medical Association Victoria said no enterprise bargaining offer has been made after a year of negotiations. The strike follows reports of system failure at regional hospitals, including long emergency wait times and 70 percent of patients boarding over 24 hours. Hospital spokespeople respected the action, while the government cited urgent care clinics as a response to primary care issues.