Adversity and Trauma HIT 2023-24

The Adversity and Trauma HIT aims to develop and use what has been learned from research into adversity and trauma to inform service design and practice, which will then improve outcomes for people across their lives and reduce health inequalities. Here are some of the highlights from the HIT in 2023-24.

5th July 2024

Promoting system working

The Adversity and Trauma HIT celebrated a milestone this year, when a commitment it had secured to embed trauma informed practice was published in the Healthier Together Integrated Care System (ICS) Strategy.

This achievement consolidates a period where the HIT has worked more closely with the ICS, including part funding its Trauma-Informed System Manager to ensure that achieving and embedding this transformation is coordinated across the system. As part of this work, the HIT has contributed to the BNSSG Trauma-Informed Practice Framework 2024.

The HIT is also supporting local authority partners in developing, promoting and embedding their own trauma-informed networks and exploring discrete trauma-informed projects with other partners such as North Bristol NHS Trust’s knife crime working group.

Using evidence to support policy change

In October 2023, HIT member and TAP CARE study leader Dr Natalia Lewis developed a policy briefing which outlines what needs to be in place to support trauma informed healthcare nationally.

The policy briefing, published by the University of Bristol, says that current implementation is piecemeal. It recommends that we need evidence on the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of trauma-informed approaches in the UK, and that every trauma-informed initiative should have funding for an evaluation that uses the same validated measures.

Training and education

A trauma informed training programme, funded by NHS Charities Together, commissioned by the HIT and developed and delivered by local charity Second Step for local organisations working with people who may have suffered trauma, ended in March 2024.

Over two years, 96 people from 23 organisations including North Somerset Wellbeing Collective, the Care Forum and the Haven benefited from the training. This important grassroots work has helped raise awareness of the potential impact of trauma on mental health and wellbeing, and how to respond in ways that support recovery and prevent further harm.

Looking ahead

The HIT’s primary role is to provide evidence that will inform decision-making for those who are commissioning and delivering health and care services. It aims to review how it can most effectively support the ICB’s ongoing trauma-informed work to ensure this focus is retained.

The HIT also aims to add academic representation to its leadership team in 2024.