Impact Review 2024-25: Bristol Bones and Joints HIT

‘Living with joint pain’ event

In March 2025, the HIT held a free event at the Withywood Centre in South Bristol for anyone living with joint pain or wanting to learn more. Health professionals, local residents, and representatives from Hengrove Park Leisure Centre and the WorkWell return-to-work programme attended.

One person who joined the Withywood event had taken part in the BBJ HIT’s Music and Movement programme the previous year. They shared how the Music and Movement Programme had helped their physical and mental health and the difference that it made to their wellbeing.

The HIT is also collaborating with adults who have a learning disability and a rheumatic condition to discuss what they need when they attend their rheumatology appointments.

New way to manage appointments

Professor Emma Dures, one of the HIT’s co-directors, is part of a national study looking at a healthcare approach called Patient Initiated Follow Up (PIFU) in rheumatology.  PIFU is where patients can request follow-up appointments when they feel they need them, rather than being given fixed dates for routine follow-ups.

In preparation for the national study, Professor Dures has worked with patients and health professionals to create freely available resources about PIFU, including:

• An animation (available in several languages) and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) document for rheumatology patients.
• An infographic for rheumatology departments.
• Templates and case studies for rheumatology professionals

Funding enabled in 2024-25

Bristol Bones and Joints HIT helped secure £300,076 in 2024-25 for projects to generate research evidence, improve outcomes and address health inequalities in the region.