Health Integration Teams well represented in Bristol Health and Care Awards shortlist

Bristol Health Partners Health Integration Teams (HITs) are well represented in the shortlist for the inaugural Bristol Health and Care Awards. HITs are a pioneering way of working on health issues in Bristol. They are focused on a specific topic or condition, and bring together all the local players in the field, regardless of organisational affiliation, on issues as diverse as musculoskeletal conditions, dementia, healthy urban planning, eating disorders and reducing hospital admissions. They tackle health priorities by working in new ways, harnessing the best research, innovation, care and education to make a difference to people’s lives.

Dr Dominique Thompson, who is in the running for Health Professional of the Year, was involved with STITCH HIT, which looks at reducing suicide and improving care for people who self-harm. She’s now on the newly formed Eating Disorders HIT, along with her colleague Emma Webb, both of whom are at the Bristol University Student Health Service, which is nominated for GP Practice of the Year.

Self-Injury Self Help, up for the Best Patient and Public Involvement award, work closely with STITCH HIT, providing them patient and public involvement on many of their projects.

The Dementia Health Integration Team is well represented. Derek Dominey, nominated for Volunteer of the Year, chairs their quarterly meetings, while Growing Support and Alive! in the Voluntary and Community Sector Team category work closely with the team, as does the Dementia Wellbeing Service in the Mental Health Team category.

The HIT that looks at early years health, BoNEE, includes Wellspring Healthy Living Centre as a key part of the team, which is also shortlisted for the Mental Health Team of the Year.

The Greater Bedminster Community Partnership, shortlisted in the Healthy Neighbourhood Award, is part of SHINE, the team that looks at creating healthy urban environments.

Bristol Eye Hospital, representing RENOIR HIT, are nominated for their mobile age-related macular degeneration check-up and treatment service are shortlisted in the Best Innovation Award.

And Dr Alan Whone, Consultant Neurologist at the Bristol Brain Centre and the Parkinson’s and Other Movement Disorders HIT, is in the running for the Outstanding Achievement Award for his groundbreaking work on the GDNF trial.

The winners will be announced at a glittering awards ceremony on 10 March. Find out who else has been shortlisted.