BeST of the best to manage workplace aggression
29/04/2025
East Metropolitan Health Service (EMHS) has welcomed eight new staff members who will make up our organisation’s inaugural Behaviour Support Team (BeST).
The BeST will be mobilised initially across Royal Perth Hospital (RPH) wards as part of a contemporary, concise and targeted strategy to manage aggression proactively – the ultimate objective being to provide support and reassurance to staff on the wards that they are not alone in managing challenging patients.
The BeST members – a multi-disciplinary team – have been carefully chosen for the skills they bring to the table. They will conduct regular rounding to reach out to patients identified as having behaviours of concern and provide on-the-ground support to staff.
The team will provide coaching and guidance to manage triggers, restrictive practices, and other concerns for these patients, while always liaising with the on-site Security team to monitor and evaluate outcomes.
This proactive approach to aggression management marks the first phase of CaREPLAN – an overarching strategy to support and enhance psychological safety in the workplace.
Doris Lombardi, the EMHS Executive steering CaREPLAN, said the commitment to safety aligns with the second goal of the EMHS Strategic Plan 2021-2025 – “Our People”.
“The safety and wellbeing of our people are our most important asset, which is why it forms the fulcrum of CaREPLAN,” Doris explained.
“The Behaviour Support Team, which is the first cab off the CaREPLAN rank, is a tangible program that aims to manage and pre-empt any incidents of workplace violence. Team members will work alongside clinical staff on the wards to manage challenges related to workplace violence.”
The BeST staff will undergo a week-long orientation at RPH and commence rounding from Wednesday 7 May. Dedicated teams will be deployed to Bentley and Armadale hospitals later this year.
The BeST will be mobilised initially across Royal Perth Hospital (RPH) wards as part of a contemporary, concise and targeted strategy to manage aggression proactively – the ultimate objective being to provide support and reassurance to staff on the wards that they are not alone in managing challenging patients.
The BeST members – a multi-disciplinary team – have been carefully chosen for the skills they bring to the table. They will conduct regular rounding to reach out to patients identified as having behaviours of concern and provide on-the-ground support to staff.
The team will provide coaching and guidance to manage triggers, restrictive practices, and other concerns for these patients, while always liaising with the on-site Security team to monitor and evaluate outcomes.
This proactive approach to aggression management marks the first phase of CaREPLAN – an overarching strategy to support and enhance psychological safety in the workplace.
Doris Lombardi, the EMHS Executive steering CaREPLAN, said the commitment to safety aligns with the second goal of the EMHS Strategic Plan 2021-2025 – “Our People”.
“The safety and wellbeing of our people are our most important asset, which is why it forms the fulcrum of CaREPLAN,” Doris explained.
“The Behaviour Support Team, which is the first cab off the CaREPLAN rank, is a tangible program that aims to manage and pre-empt any incidents of workplace violence. Team members will work alongside clinical staff on the wards to manage challenges related to workplace violence.”
The BeST staff will undergo a week-long orientation at RPH and commence rounding from Wednesday 7 May. Dedicated teams will be deployed to Bentley and Armadale hospitals later this year.
Last Updated:
10/07/2025