General News
3 November, 2025
Delicate care by ‘BERT’
A NEW team of specialist nurses at Cairns Hospital is taking a compassionate approach to supporting patients during moments of distress or agitation.
The behavioural emergency response team, known as ‘BERT’, was launched as a trial program in May and has already proven so effective that it is expanding to more wards.
Made up of eight nurses, BERT supports patients experiencing behaviours of concern – most often linked to conditions such as dementia or delirium, a sudden temporary disturbance in thinking and awareness often caused from illness, surgery, or medication, leading to confusion, agitation or drowsiness.
The team also provides reassurance and practical strategies for families and staff and has responded to more than 730 calls since May.
BERT initially supported medical and rehabilitation patients and has now expanded to include patients receiving cancer care and those with respiratory or kidney conditions.
Cairns Hospital sub-acute and rehabilitation and older persons nursing director Jane Jordan said the program had quickly demonstrated its value.
“We have received multiple compliments from staff and security stating how happy they are with the service and how it has assisted with their workloads and ability to care for these patients,” she said.
“When older loved ones become unwell, they can sometimes show distressing or challenging behaviours that are difficult for families and hospital staff to manage.
“Now, a dedicated team of specialist nurses is on hand to provide calm, expert support –ensuring patients receive compassionate care while families and staff feel reassured and supported.”
Clinical nurse consultant Hayley Hickey said the team brought extensive experience in dementia behaviour management.
“We build rapport with patients and their support networks to calm situations before they escalate,” she said.
“A recent example was an older gentleman with dementia who was refusing important medication. His symptoms had improved because of that very medication.
“We never lecture or force a patient to take it – instead, we talk it through so they can better understand why it’s so important. Nursing staff have their important work to do and we can support them and the patient by taking the time to work towards a solution. In this case, he agreed and took his medication.”
