Chloe Hannigan brings passion and experience to new role.

Nurse Chloe Hannigan is passionate about delivering patient care in challenging circumstances. 

“I’m interested in why people would act outside the norm,” she said.  

Chloe has worked in Sydney Local Health District for the past five years, first in its Mental Health Service and then in RPA’s inpatient Gastroenterology, Drug and Alcohol ward. 

She is now furthering her experience in her new role as the Coordinator and Nurse Manager of the Behavioural Escalation Support Team (BEST) at RPA .  

BEST will operate as a clinical resource for acute care teams, supporting staff to manage patients at risk of disturbed behaviours.   

These behaviours may come about as a result of medical conditions ranging from dementia and intellectual disability to drug and alcohol use or mental health issues.  

Chloe says she was drawn to the role because she cares deeply about vulnerable patients getting the care they deserve.  

“This cohort can be stigmatised as being difficult, when often it’s a medical condition that causes that behaviour.”  

BEST has been established as part of an enforceable undertaking from workplace health and safety regulator SafeWork NSW following an incident at the hospital in 2019.   

During the incident, a patient experiencing mental illness became agitated and attacked three nurses and a fellow patient with a pair of scissors. They were treated for minor injuries 

The nurses involved in the incident, and another five staff members who witnessed it, reported psychological injury. 

The District has worked to support these staff members in the aftermath of the incident and to implement new prevention measures. 

“Addressing work-related violence remains a top priority for the District,” said Brian Diskin, who is the District Program Manager for the Safe Care of Mental Health and Behaviourally Disturbed Patients in Acute Care Facilities. 

BEST will work to identify patients at risk of challenging behaviours and dedicate time and resources to support the delivery of safe and appropriate care. 

Brian believes BEST will make a meaningful difference at RPA. 

“I expect Chloe and the BEST Clinicians will make a big impact to both patient experience, and staff wellbeing,” he said. 

“It has been shown that following an attack, staff can face trauma and this unfortunately may hinder how they care for patients of a similar cohort in the future,” Chloe added. 

Supporting staff and helping them to be safe will in turn ensure these patients receive a high level of care, she said. 

This empathetic approach to her work made Chloe a natural fit to help lead BEST, said Brian.  

“Chloe’s authenticity and approachability have enabled her to quickly establish trust and rapport with others, which has proved invaluable in the role,” he said. 

“She is a role model for how we should provide care to our most vulnerable and marginalised patient groups.”