2018 HIT conference highlights

Bristol Health Partners Health Integration Teams had their annual opportunity to network, share ideas and hear from key speakers from the local health and care system, at the annual Health Integration Team (HIT) conference on 15 June. The conference was attended by more than 160 academics, clinicians, commissioners, members of the public, patients and others from organisations across Bristol, South Gloucestershire and North Somerset.

The day kicked off with an introduction from Andrea Young, Chief Executive of North Bristol Trust and Chair of the Bristol Health Partners Board, which was followed by David Wynick, Chair of the Bristol Health Partners Executive Group, who showcased the HITs’ achievements over the last year.

The agenda also included a panel on prevention, with members including the Youth Mayor Jack Payne, Vicki Morris from the Care Forum and Healthier Together’s Sara Blackmore. Rather than presentations from each HIT, they presented posters highlighting their work. A lively Speed Data-ing session got everyone up on their feet and talking to new people about data. Patient and public contributors presented the website Well Aware, which helps connect people with advice and support to help them improve their health and wellbeing. The day ended with an emotive session led by Julian Walker of Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership (AWP). He was in conversation with Martha Sneyd, Peer Director for the Psychosis HIT, Hayley Richards, Chief Executive at AWP and mental health lead at Healthier Together, and Sue Dursley, Director of the Improving Care in Self-Harm (STITCH) HIT and Psychiatric Liaison Nurse at the Bristol Royal Infirmary.

This year’s event saw the launch of the 2017-18 Bristol Health Partners annual review.

Bristol Health Partners Chief Operating Officer Lisa King said:

“Our annual HIT conference is a key moment in the Bristol Health Partners calendar. It’s the main opportunity that all our HITs have to meet, share ideas and find out about each other’s work. It’s also a great showcase for the power of partnership, with people from across the region’s health and care sector coming together for a fun and creative event that got everyone involved.

“Many people have been involved in making the day a success, but I’d like to thank Louise Osborne and Jan Connett in particular for all their hard work to make the day run so smoothly. It was a really varied day with lots of different topics and perspectives explored, and pulling that off was no mean feat.”

Feedback from the day

Almost all respondents to the event’s evaluation form said the conference met their expectations (53 per cent fully and 35 per cent partially). There was also a good retention rate with 78% of respondents reporting they had attended for the whole day.

A significant number of respondents felt they learned as much as they hoped to learn about the HITs (51 per cent). A further 31 per cent felt they learned almost as much as they had hoped.

“Another great conference. Well done everyone.”

“This has been an interesting and enjoyable day. Thank you.”

“Thank you. Great to have an inspiring day with a focus on wellbeing.”

“Great networking opportunities! Thank you.”

“Really enjoyable and interesting. So grateful it was free and open for me to attend. Thank you for organising.”

Congratulations to Sonia Athanatou, who won the feedback form raffle. Sonia works for the NIHR CRN West of England. Bristol Health Partners Executive Group Public Contributor Stephen Hill helped with the draw.

Who said what?

Download presentations from the day.