Bristol Bones and Joints
Bristol Bones and Joints Health Integration Team (HIT) harnesses evidence-based clinical practice and the associated research to fill knowledge gaps and improve care pathways and outcomes for patients with musculoskeletal conditions.
The team focuses on three key areas: rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis and fragility fractures, and osteoarthritis and arthroplasty (joint replacement or repair). Bristol Bones and Joints' work has already contributed to a significant shift in hip replacement practice that should improve patient outcomes locally and worldwide.
Latest news and events
Bristol teams recognised by British Society for Rheumatology for outstanding PPI work
21 May 2020
The rheumatology service teams from University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust and North Bristol NHS Trust have been awarded 'Best Practice' awards by the British Society of Rheumatology (BSR).The awards celebrate an innovative or parti...
Bristol Bones and Joints HIT look back on 2019-20
6 May 2020
Directors Associate Professor Emma Dures and Mr Sanchit Mehendale provide an update on the 2019-20 activity of the Bristol Bones and Joints Health Integration Team (HIT). The Bristol Bones and Joints HIT is a large and diverse team made up of patients, he...
HITs work together to help redesign of chronic pain patient pathway
6 November 2019
Two of our HITS - Integrated Pain Management and Bristol Bones and Joints - have been working together to redesign how we plan and deliver chronic pain services, as part of Healthier Together’s wider reconfiguration of musculoskeletal services. The co...
HITs secure £2.9 million in research funding in 2018-19
5 June 2019
Bristol Health Partners Health Integration Teams (HITs) have attracted nearly £2.9 million in research funding to Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire during 2018-19, for nearly 40 different projects.
Bristol Bones and Joints HIT looks back over 2018-19
15 May 2019
Directors Dr Emma Clark, Associate Professor Emma Dures and Mr Sanchit Mehendale give an update on the 2018-19 activity of the Bristol Bones and Joints Health Integration Team (HIT)....
HITs carers event offers information and support
13 May 2019
Bristol Health Partners Health Integration Teams (HITs) ran an event in April for ‘informal’ carers who provide substantial, unpaid care and support for family members or friends.
HITs with a focus on healthy, safe environments get together for a networking breakfast
12 October 2018
On Wednesday 3 October, Health Integration Teams (HITs) with a focus on healthy, safe environments got together for a networking breakfast at Lifeskills at the CREATE Centre in South Bristol.
Health Integration Teams attract nearly £4.7 million in 2017-18
15 June 2018
Bristol Health Partners Health Integration Teams (HITs) have attracted nearly £4.7 million in funding to the local health system in 2017-18.
Bristol Bones and Joints HIT looks back over 2017-18
21 May 2018
Directors Dr Emma Clark, Associate Professor Emma Dures and Mr Sanchit Mehendale give an update on the 2017-18 activity of the Bristol Bones and Joints Health Integration Team (HIT).
Seminar on supporting service design and delivery showcases HIT achievements
7 February 2018
Five Health Integration Teams (HITs) presented their work aimed at keeping people out of hospital at a special lunchtime seminar on 5 February, to commissioners, project managers, researchers and people from the voluntary sector.
Bristol Bones and Joints highlights for 2016-17
18 May 2017
Directors Dr Emma Clark, Professor Ashley Blom and Professor Sarah Hewlett give an update on the 2016-17 activity of the Bristol Bones and Joints HIT which focuses on osteoarthritis, osteoporosis and inflammatory rheumatological disorders.
Two Health Integration Teams responsible for £340,000 savings annually
28 March 2017
Two Health Integration Teams (HITs), Bristol Bones and Joints and STITCH, are responsible for £340,000 annual savings in the city’s two acute trusts, through changes to services and care pathways.
HITs bring nearly £4m in funding to the region in last nine months
27 March 2017
Health Integration Teams (HITs) have brought £3,988,121 of funding to the region since July 2016. Some of these awards are for research, while others are for service innovation.
PROactive collaboration aims to tackle chronic pain
18 August 2016
PROactive is a new collaborative partnership between the University of the West of England (UWE Bristol) and the Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust (RUH). It brings together academics and clinicians from a range of different research groups...
Health Integration Team model evaluation paper published
1 July 2016
The results of NIHR CLAHRC West's preliminary evaluation of the ‘Health Integration Team’ model have been published in BMC Health Services Research.
Our 2015-16 annual review is out now
27 June 2016
Our 2015-16 annual review was launched at our annual Health Integration Team (HIT) conference on 17 June. The Bristol Health Partners annual review showcases the work of the partnership and includes updates from most of our 20 HITs and a round-up of the...
Bristol Bones and Joints review of the year: 2015-16
25 May 2016
Directors Dr Emma Clark, Professor Ashley Blom and Professor Sarah Hewlett give an update on the 2014-15 activity of the Bristol Bones and Joints Health Integration Team (HIT).
Helping people with rheumatoid arthritis manage their fatigue
15 August 2015
Research at UWE has led to a process of measuring fatigue in people with rheumatoid arthritis which has been adopted internationally in clinical trials, and informed interventions that have improved quality of life for people with rheumatoid arthritis.
Bristol Bones and Joints Health Integration Team review of 2014-15
11 May 2015
Directors Dr Emma Clark, Professor Ashley Blom and Professor Sarah Hewlett give an update on the 2014-15 activity of the Bristol Bones and Joints Health Integration Team (HIT).
Bristol Bones and Joints review 2013-14
27 August 2014
Dr Emma Clark, Professor Ashley Blom and Professor Sarah Hewlett reflect on the Bristol Bones and Joints Health Integration Team's (HIT) work in 2013-14.
