Dementia Health Integration Team (HIT)
The Dementia Health Integration Team (HIT) is a team of professionals who are all working together to transform care for people affected by dementia through comprehensive research, integrating and improving care services and support, and by creating dementia-friendly communities.
Dementia care is a national and local priority. The number of people with dementia is growing due to an ageing population: 2,160 people in Bristol have been diagnosed with the condition, but historically low diagnosis rates mean the real number is estimated at 4,500. The number of dementia patients in Bristol is expected to increase by 23 per cent over the next two decades.
Latest news and events
Dance for Wellbeing Conference
16 November 2021
FREE event: How can dance help to support people’s health – at all points of their care pathway? And how does this fit with health and care system priorities? A day of talks, discussion, activity and film from Bristol Health Partners, Active Ageing...
Bristol Health Partners works with hospital charities on new programme of support to benefit thousands in the community
23 September 2021
Bristol Health Partners Academic Health Science Centre (AHSC) has joined forces with Bristol’s hospital charities on an innovative programme of support to benefit thousands in the community. Above & Beyond, Southmead Hospital Charity and...
New option for how people with COVID-19 are cared for on NHS wards
30 August 2021
A new protocol for prone positioning — a technique commonly used to treat COVID-19 patients in respiratory distress by turning them on to their front to increase oxygen flow to the lungs, is published in the Journal of Frailty and Aging. Researchers fro...
Dementia friendly allotment breaks new ground in Bristol
30 July 2021
Bristol’s first dementia friendly allotment launched on 23 July, at an event attended by Bristol Mayor Marvin Rees, alongside older people, their carers, families, and the volunteers who had turned the idea into reality. The space at Charlton Road al...
Dementia HIT achievements 2020-21
20 July 2021
Outgoing Directors Dr Hilary Archer and Dr Maria-Paloma Sequeiros, and coordinator Dr Julie Clayton, provide an update on the 2020-21 activities of the Dementia Health Integration Team (HIT). Dementia HIT members rose to the challenge of COVID19 during 2...
Dementia HIT appoints new directors
11 June 2021
Bristol Health Partners’ Dementia Health Integration Team (HIT) has appointed three new co-directors to lead the HIT’s work in improving care for people with dementia. The Dementia HIT is a team of professionals working together to transform care for...
The importance of ‘Information About Me’: understanding the hidden causes of delays in discharging frail older people from hospital
8 June 2021
Delays in discharging older people living with frailty from hospital are caused by a complex range of factors, but a key factor is how medical and social information about patients becomes fragmented during their stay. This is the conclusion of a study in...
New dementia support sessions and groups for 2021
12 January 2021
The pandemic continues to be extremely challenging for people living with dementia and their carers, family and friends.Southern Brooks, along with several local partner organisations, have organised support groups for people with dementia and their carer...
Testing memory over four weeks could predict Alzheimer's disease risk
10 December 2020
New research suggests testing people’s memory over four weeks could identify who is at higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease before it has developed. Importantly, the trial found testing people’s ability to retain memories for longer time p...
Dementia studies across Bristol and Bath are now back up and running
17 November 2020
COVID-19 has dealt a huge blow to research in many areas, including dementia, with many laboratories and research centres having to close their doors for months in order to stop the spread of the virus. Some facilities have reopened, with extra infection...
'Information About Me' campaign launched to help older people leave hospital when ready
16 November 2020
A new campaign to support older people with frailty admitted to hospital in an emergency has launched today. Many people worry about the possibility of an emergency hospital admission, and the coronavirus pandemic will be heightening these concerns. The ...
Dementia HIT's COVID impact survey reveals key challenges facing dementia services
12 November 2020
A survey done of 19 dementia services across Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire has revealed the difficulties they have faced between May – July 2020. Issues around patient and carer safety were a key challenge for many care ho...
HIT Conference goes virtual to address the impact of COVID-19 and wider health inequalities
20 October 2020
Bristol Health Partners held its annual Health Integration Team (HIT) Conference as an entirely virtual event this year because of the pandemic. The event, “COVID-19 Call to Action: What else can we achieve in health and social care?”, took place b...
Dementia research badly affected by COVID-19
4 August 2020
The development of new diagnostic tests and treatments for dementia is likely to be severely hampered due to the COVID-19 pandemic, as the charities that traditionally fund such work have lost much of their income, according to speakers at recent webin...
Key dementia research facility protected thanks to BRACE
15 July 2020
One of the most important facilities supporting dementia research in the country will continue its help in the fight against the disease thanks to an award of £140,000 by Bristol dementia research charity BRACE. BRACE is an active partner of the Dementia...
Dementia HIT study looks at barriers preventing BAME communities accessing dementia services
9 July 2020
Members of the Dementia Health Integration Team (HIT) worked together with local Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) partners to produce a study that looks at the factors that create a reluctance for people living with dementia from certain BAME co...
Dementia HIT highlights for 2019-20
18 May 2020
Directors Dr Maria-Paloma Sequerios Camarinha and Dr Hilary Archer provide an update on the 2019-20 activity of the Dementia Health Integration Team (HIT). The Dementia HIT has undergone quite a transformation with new members and a key role working on a...
Local charity Above & Beyond will continue to support three HITs
17 February 2020
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...
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.
Bristol Health Partners to invest £176k in its Health Integration Teams
13 May 2019
Health Integration Teams (HITs) are set to benefit from £176k of investment from Bristol Health Partners in 2019-20. HITs requested funding from the partnership for a wide variety of projects, with the majority receiving funding.
Dementia HIT successes in 2018-19
26 April 2019
Dr Maria-Paloma Sequeiros Camarinha and Dr Hilary Archer Directors of the Dementia Health Integration Team (HIT), reflect on the team's work and successes in 2018-19.
Rising above negative attitudes to dementia with the Restaurant that Makes Mistakes
21 March 2019
Dementia Health Integration Team (HIT) Project Manager Julie Clayton on how attitudes to dementia are being challenged by projects like the Restaurant that Makes Mistakes.
Health and social care commissioners hear about HITs at special seminar
17 February 2019
Health and social care commissioners came together at City Hall for a special seminar to hear about the work of Health Integration Teams, attended by over 60 people.
Dementia awareness in faith-led communities project gains funding
7 February 2019
A Bristol Community Health grant has opened the door to enabling members of Sikh and Hindu communities in Bristol to improve their understanding of dementia.
People needed to share their experience of dementia or memory problems
24 October 2018
Do you have experience of dementia or memory problems? Researchers from the University of Bristol and North Bristol NHS Trust are looking for patients or carers over the age of 45 to join a memory patient group to help further research into the disease.
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.
GPs learn about barriers to dementia diagnosis in BME communities
28 September 2018
GPs and other staff from six Bristol surgeries had a real eye-opener on the varying ways in which patients from different ethnic minorities may talk about dementia, in a series of information sessions led by the University of the West of England.
New study on public attitudes to dementia launches survey
5 September 2018
A new research survey has been launched that will take a snapshot of public attitudes to dementia. Led by researchers at the University of West of England, the survey is supported by the Dementia Health Integration Team.
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.
Successes of the Dementia HIT in 2017-18
22 May 2018
Sue Wensley, Elizabeth Coulthard and Emma Moody, outgoing Directors of the Dementia Health Integration Team (HIT), reflect on the team's work and successes in 2017-18.
Dementia HIT Research Showcase explores sleep, citizenship and emergency care
20 April 2018
Sleep and dementia, emergency care, and notions of citizenship were among the highlights of the Dementia HIT Research Showcase 2018 held at BAWA on 19 April 2018.
How to get involved in dementia research - new video from the Dementia HIT
29 January 2018
A new video from the Dementia Health Integration Team (HIT) showcases opportunities for people to get involved in dementia research, both locally and nationally.
Joint Spatial Plan must address public health issues, Bristol Health Partners urges
17 January 2018
The Joint Spatial Plan (JSP) is a rare opportunity to plan for a healthier future for the West of England, but Bristol Health Partners believes that the latest version of the plan doesn’t address public health issues strongly enough.
Real Life with Dementia training wins national award
8 December 2017
A dementia training course for carers in South Gloucestershire, known as Real Life with Dementia, has won the National Dementia Care Award 2017 for Best Dementia Training Initiative.
The winners of the Bristol Health and Care Awards 2017
31 October 2017
The city’s heroes of healthcare were recognised at a sparkling event hosted by the Bristol Post on Wednesday 25 October 2017.
Ground-breaking foreign-language films about dementia launched by Bristol-based partnership
2 August 2017
A Bristol-based partnership has launched an innovative series of short films in six different languages giving information about dementia and relevant support services in the city.
More participants needed to complete UK-led Alzheimer’s disease drug trial
17 July 2017
People with Alzheimer’s disease are already helping with a ground-breaking government-funded trial led by academics from the Universities of Bristol, Cambridge, Queen’s University Belfast and University College London, and hosted by North Bristol NHS Tru...
Successes of the Dementia HIT in 2016-17
8 May 2017
Sue Wensley, Elizabeth Coulthard and Emma Moody, Directors of the Dementia Health Integration Team (HIT), reflect on the team's work and successes in 2016-17.
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.
Department of Health launches dementia survey
4 December 2016
The Department of Health have launched a ‘Dementia: care, support and awareness’ survey.
Listen out for HITs on Bristol Community Radio
23 November 2016
Bristol Health Partners and our Health Integration Teams will be the focus of a special edition of Healthwatch's monthly Bristol Community Radio (BCFM) wellbeing show on 13 December.
Dementia Care Inspiring Leader award for Lesley Hobbs
10 November 2016
Lesely Hobbs, Manager at Deerhurst care home in Soundwell, Bristol has won the Dementia Care Inspiring Leader award at the seventh National Dementia Care Awards 2016.
Alzheimer's and dementia cafés in Bristol
26 August 2016
These dementia and Alzheimer's cafes in north and south Bristol provide a relaxed and safe space in which issues surrounding dementia can be aired in a friendly and informal environment.
Dementia Health Integration Team survey of public attitudes paper published
28 July 2016
The Dementia Health Integration Team (HIT) have published their first paper as a HIT. The aim of the study was to carry out a survey of public attitudes toward people affected by dementia in Bristol and South Gloucestershire.
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.
Project to create dementia friendly swimming activites
30 June 2016
A project to create dementia friendly swimming is available at quieter times in the Easton and Hengrove pools.
Active Together for Dementia is looking for volunteers
30 June 2016
Would you like to spend time volunteering with someone with dementia who shares your interests? Walk, Swim, Dance, Chat, Watch, Listen Let's do it together!...
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 research highlights in 2015-16
15 June 2016
2015-16 saw the opening of the Bristol Brain Centre, bringing Bristol’s considerable strengths in neurological disorders together under one roof, and a new personalised assisted living facility at the Bristol Robotics Laboratory. A Genomic Medicine Cen...
South Gloucestershire dementia, carers and falls consultation open
7 June 2016
Three important strategies on dementia, carers and preventing falls in South Gloucestershire are open for consultation until 22 August.
Dementia HIT success in 2015-16
31 May 2016
Dr Liz Coulthard, Director of the Dementia Health Integration Team (HIT), reflects on the team's work and successes in 2015-16.
Dementia and the importance of relationships
19 May 2016
To mark Dementia Awareness Week, Dr Jude Hancock, co-ordinator of the Dementia Health Integration Team (HIT) talks about how important relationships are for people with dementia.
Ways to live well with dementia highlighted during awareness week
13 May 2016
Bristol City Council is shining a light on living well with dementia during the national awareness week (16 – 22 May) organised by the Alzheimer’s society.
Health care heroes honoured in Bristol Health and Care Awards
15 March 2016
Some of Bristol’s most hardworking and talented health workers were honoured at a sparkling awards ceremony on Thursday 10 March. The Bristol Post’s first ever Health and Care Awards, organised in partnership with Bristol Health Partners, were hosted by...
Bristol’s health experts come out in support of 20mph speed limits
15 March 2016
Bristol’s health and care community are showing their support for the city’s 20mph speed limits as the council debates the issue today (15 March). A public petition supporting the speed limits, which received more than 4,100 signatures from people in Bri...
Health Integration Teams well represented in Bristol Health and Care Awards shortlist
4 March 2016
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.
Joint Health Integration Team response to West of England joint spatial plan
17 February 2016
Bristol Health Partners Health Integration Teams (HITs) have made a joint response to the West of England's joint spatial plan consultation. In response to housing pressure in the Avon sub-region, the area’s four local authorities, Bristol, North Somer...
West leads the way in Join Dementia Research registrations
20 January 2016
A tour bus promoting ‘Join dementia research’ proved such a hit with shoppers in the West of England before Christmas that the region has now taken the number one slot for the highest number of local registrations to the service in the country.
North Bristol Trust opens Bristol Brain Centre
26 November 2015
The new Bristol Brain Centre at Southmead Hospital brings together North Bristol Trust's considerable expertise in neurological disorders under one roof, designed with the patient at its heart.
Bristol Health Partners at the NHS Innovation Expo
22 September 2015
Bristol Health Partners had a stand and ran a prestigious pop-up university session at this year's NHS Health and Care Innovation Expo, which took place in Manchester on 2-3 September.
Dementia research boosted by surge in volunteers
26 August 2015
Ambition to find a cure for dementia has been boosted by the surge of people volunteering to take part in dementia research.
Dementia Health Integration Team review of 2014-15
10 May 2015
Dr Elizabeth Coulthard, Director of the Dementia Health Integration Team (HIT), gives an update on the HIT's activities in 2014-15.
Dementia study days
20 February 2015
A series of six dementia study days is being held from 20 March until 19 June 2015. The study days reflect an essential paradox within dementia care – that although dementia is an illness, it is only by being able to understand dementia from the 'inside...
NIHR CLAHRC West research projects announced
29 January 2015
The National Institute for Health Research Collaboration for Leadership in Applied Health Research and Care West (NIHR CLAHRC West) has announced the first round of research projects that it will be working on in the first part of 2015.
Dementia groups shake up following commissioning of new services
11 December 2014
Commissioners have proposed that the Dementia Health Integration Team (HIT) subsumes the Joint Dementia Board, and therefore is now the strategic group overseeing the delivery of the dementia strategy and HIT workstreams in Bristol and South Gloucestersh...
Dementia HIT review 2013-14
20 August 2014
Dr Elizabeth Coulthard, Director of the Dementia Health Integration Team, looks back at what the team has achieved in 2013-14.
Memory Research Register goes live
4 February 2014
Avon & Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust's Research and Development team have launched the Memory Research Register (MRR). The register helps people with memory problems and their carers to take part in research.
Round-up of UWE dementia conference
16 December 2013
The University of the West of England, Bristol Alzheimer’s Society and the South-West Dementia and Neurodegenerative Diseases Research Network ran a Dementia Awareness week last week. This included a half-day dementia research conference.
Focus on the Dementia Health Integration Team
5 December 2013
Dementia is a national and local priority, and the Dementia Health Integration Team are working hard to transform care for people affected by dementia through comprehensive research, integrating and improving care services, and by creating dementia-frien...
Dementia HIT runs attitudes to dementia survey
1 October 2013
The Dementia Health Integration Team is running an attitudes to dementia survey throughout October. The online questionnaire is open to everyone.
