Local charity Above & Beyond will continue to support three HITs

Three of Bristol Health Partners (BHP) Health Integration
Teams (HITs) will receive a further £30,000 in funding from Above & Beyond to
help improve the health and quality of life of Bristol communities.

In 2019, Above & Beyond secured independent status and
began to extend its support outside of Bristol’s city centre hospitals. The
charity has chosen BHP as its first delivery partner as part of a move to
support the health of Bristol citizens and keep people out of hospital. They previously
provided BHP with the same amount last year.

Health Integration Teams are BHP’s pioneering approach to integrating
research, health services and public health which involves patients and the
public working together with the local health and care sectors.

The work of the HITs supported by Above & Beyond, will focus
on encouraging active healthy lifestyles amongst older people in some of the
most deprived parts of Bristol (Active
People: Promoting Healthy Life Expectancy APPHLE HIT), dementia
care
and improving care in self-harm (STITCH
HIT).

The funds will help tackle some of Bristol’s health
priorities by working in new ways, harnessing the best research, innovation,
care and education to make a difference to people’s health and wellbeing.

Paul Kearney, Chief Executive Officer for Above &
Beyond, said: “We are delighted to continue supporting the work of Bristol
Health Partners Health Integration Teams, particularly as these community-based
projects will involve patients and members of the public in Bristol and have a
direct impact on their health and wellbeing. The charity is keen to boost
initiatives like these, to support a more joined up approach to patient care
and prevention.”

Lisa King, Chief Operating Officer for Bristol Health
Partners, said: “We are thrilled and grateful to have the continued support of Above
& Beyond, a charity that is dedicated to improving the health of the people
who live in Bristol. With their help, we will be able to continue our work in
2020 in supporting Bristol’s ageing population to become or stay active and
improving care for people with dementia and for those who self-harm.”