People with bones and joints conditions share experiences with HIT

On 26 September, Bristol Bones and Joints Health Integration Team (HIT) held an information and discussion afternoon for people living locally with a condition affecting their bones and joints.

Fifteen people joined the HIT at the BAWA Health and Leisure Club in Southmead for lunch. This was followed by presentations from Emma Dures, Andrew Moore and Phil Hamman on topics relevant to research and information for people with conditions affecting their bones and joints. A fatigue animation video that was developed by Professor Emma Dures and her team using voices from patients with lived experience of fatigue and evidence-based information was shared with the audience.

Attendees were encouraged to share their priorities for managing their conditions in round table discussions. Topics they raised included fatigue, food and self-management, and everyone who came along expressed an interest in finding out more about the HIT and getting involved.

Some of the feedback and recommendations from attendees included:

“Great information and good to connect with others”

“The organisers were very approachable”

“Self-management  – Dr Phil Hamann explained so many things which I haven’t been told about or aware.”

“Unwellness, whether it be bones and joints or any other, affects the mind very much. In turn it affects confidence, self-esteem, depression so, before that hits, have more of these social group and research conferences.”

Find out about the Bristol Bones and Joints HIT

Bones and joints conditions affect one in four adults and can have a huge impact on how someone lives their life. These conditions also have a big impact on the NHS and account for a quarter of all operations.

The Bristol Bones and Joints Health Integration Team brings together patients and professionals to discuss services and research for musculoskeletal conditions such as osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, and rarer conditions, such as lupus and scleroderma.