New funding will provide more support for some of our most vulnerable patients with the introduction of Behaviour Response Teams in Hervey Bay and Bundaberg.
Led by Rebecca Nieman, the new model of care will be established with the Integrated Care Rehabilitation team.
The multidisciplinary team will support adult patients presenting with significantly changed behaviours, including behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia, not related to a primary mental health diagnosis.
Rebecca said the program is set to be a game-changer.
“We see patients come into the hospital, and they can have complicated behaviours; they are often scared and unsure of what is going on,” she said.
“It can be hard for staff in a ward who are often time-poor to know how to best help these patients during extended hospital stays."
It is acknowledged that this patient cohort is prone to extended hospital admissions, often without requiring medical intervention.
Patients within this cohort can also be challenging to place into appropriate care and, on occasions, are unable to return to their home or Residential Aged Care Facility due to their changed behaviours.
“With this team, including experienced allied health staff, it is hopefully going to assist our ward staff by increasing the tools they have to use,” she said.
“Things like considering which rooms might work best for them, helping with strategies to improve day-night routines, introducing little things that might make the ward feel a bit more familiar, and using positive engagement strategies."
“They don’t have to be complex things, but sometimes they can make a really big difference.”
“By strategically focusing on both hospital and community clients, we hope to make a lasting impact on the health and wellbeing of our community,” she said.
Recruitment will commence shortly, and further details on the launch of the service will be available in the coming weeks.