Seminar on supporting service design and delivery showcases HIT achievements

Five Health Integration Teams (HITs) presented their work aimed at keeping people out of hospital at a special lunchtime seminar on 5 February. Commissioners, project managers, researchers and people from voluntary sector organisations heard about existing and proposed HIT work on stroke, musculoskeletal disorders, alcohol and frailty. The theme of the seminar was ‘Evidence for Change: making research relevant for service design and delivery’, showcasing the following work:

Stroke pathway review

Stroke HIT

There are more than 20 organisations involved in stroke care in Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire (BNSSG). Through the care pathway review, the Stroke HIT has been working to bring about an integrated and seamless care pathway for patients. As well as bringing research (health economics, prevention modelling) to the care pathway review, the HIT has also been instrumental in establishing public and patient co-design of the pathway and its accountability.

• Presentation by Professor Mark Pietroni, Director of Public Health for South Gloucestershire and Stroke HIT Director (PDF)

Collaborative working and co-design for MSK services in BNSSG

Supported by Bristol Bones & Joints HIT and Integrated Pain Management HIT

As part of the co-design of a new integrated musculoskeletal (MSK) model the local Sustainability and Transformation Partnership (STP) has drawn on the knowledge and skills of existing networks in the Bristol Bones and Joints and the Integrated Pain Management HITs. The new model aims to put the needs of the patient first and has a focus on self-management. It aims to increase integration of community, primary and secondary care services and the integration between specialities in secondary care across BNSSG.

• Presentation by Gemma Artz, MSK Programme Lead for BNSSG, South Gloucestershire CCG (PDF)

Proposed project to provide rapid access to alcohol detox in acute settings

Drug & Alcohol HIT

The Drug & Alcohol HIT are keen to address the high number of alcohol related A&E attendances and hospital admissions through piloting an evidence-based scheme known as RADAR, for rapid access to detox from acute hospital settings. As there is capacity to implement RADAR locally (eg a bespoke seven-day alcohol detoxification ward with 24-hour nursing/medical cover, engagement and aftercare planning and mental health treatment), the HIT would like to work with commissioners to develop a pilot in Bristol and South Gloucestershire.

• Presentation by Jon Shorrock, Service Manager for BSDAS, AWP and Drugs & Alcohol HIT (PDF)

Enhancing physical activity in older people – experience from the ACE (Active Connected and Engaged Project) pilot

Active Older People HIT

The Active Older People HIT has been working with Bristol City Council and local community organisations on initiatives to promote physical activity among older people. As well as a positive effect on physical, social and mental wellbeing, the associated health benefits of physical activity for older people include a reduction in mortality, a reduction in new diseases and mobility related disability, and fewer unplanned hospital admissions. The HIT has been involved in two projects locally. The ACE Active Connected and Engaged Project uses peer led interventions to support older people get ‘out and about’. The REtirement in ACTion (REACT) project is an NIHR funded study into physical activity for high risk older adults using group exercise classes to enhance social interaction and empowerment. ACE AND REACT offer models that can be embedded in existing services.

• Presentation by Professor Selena Gray, UWE and Active Older People HIT Director (PDF)

Each speaker gave a brief presentation on how this work can add value to the health care system and to local population health outcomes.

The presentations were followed by a ‘Question Time’ panel, where audience members could submit their questions on slips of paper for the panel. The panel discussed a number of questions, including:

• economic modelling for stroke services to include local authority social care costs
• patient and public involvement in service redesign that is representative of the population served
• the need for integration across the system to drive forward new care pathways
• the possibility of implementing RADAR across BNSSG
• lessons from Japan on healthy life expectancy
• linking the ACE model with social prescribing

Bristol Health Partners would like to thank Avon Primary Care Research Collaborative (APCRC) for hosting the seminar and allowing this opportunity to share information on the HITs and their work. The seminar followed on from last year’s successful HIT seminar hosted by APCRC at the Bristol Clinical Commissioning Group offices, on improving mental health care pathways.