Respiratory Infections (RuBICoN)
The Respiratory Health Integration Team (HIT) was a team of doctors and scientists, who worked together to improve advice and support for parents and patients, and to reduce antibiotic use in the treatment of respiratory infections. The team was set up in December 2012 and closed in April 2017.
They worked to improve how coughs, colds and chest infections are managed to try to help people to look after themselves, help the NHS treat those who are more seriously ill every winter and improve the way money is spent. Some of the projects they developed included providing new clinics, and giving better information and skills to parents supported by good science to help them manage these infections with confidence.
Latest news and events
Members of RuBICoN continue to tackle antibiotic resistance
9 August 2018
Since closing in April 2017, members of the Respiratory Infections HIT have continued to do work that seeks to provide advice and support for parents and patients, and to reduce antibiotic use in the treatment of respiratory infections.
Respiratory Infections HIT – its successes and sustaining its impact
13 April 2018
The Respiratory Infections Health Integration Team (HIT) has achieved several key successes since its inception in 2012, and officially closed as a HIT in 2017. Its work continues to have impact today.
Respiratory Infections HIT round up for 2016-17
11 May 2017
An update on the work of the Respiratory Infections Health Integration Team during 2016-17 from Professor Alastair Hay. The team has been working to improve advice and support for parents and patients and to reduce antibiotic use since December 2012.
New algorithm could help GPs reduce antibiotic use in children with coughs and RTIs
2 September 2016
Researchers have developed a technique that will help GPs identify which children with coughs and respiratory tract infections (RTIs) are most at risk of future hospitalisation.
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...
Respiratory Infections HIT review of 2015-16
31 May 2016
An update on the work of the Respiratory Infections Health Integration Team during 2015-16 from Professor Alastair Hay.
Videos exploring antibiotic use for RTIs in children in primary care launched at TARGET event
10 March 2016
Videos and other resources to help GPs and parents manage coughs and respiratory tract infections (RTIs) have been launched by the University of Bristol's Centre for Academic Primary Care (CAPC) at an antimicrobial stewardship event on 26 February in Lon...
Families needed for study into children's common illnesses
29 February 2016
University of Bristol researchers led by Professor Alastair Hay are inviting Bristol families to take part in a new study to find out more about how parents manage children’s coughs, colds, sore throats and ear infections in the community.
Bristol researchers aim to improve the use of antibiotics in primary care
26 February 2016
New research led by Bristol NHS CCG and the University of Bristol, aimed at improving the quality of primary care for children with respiratory tract infections (RTIs) has been presented in London.
Bristol team to help in the fight against superbugs
18 November 2015
Researchers at the University of Bristol have received £1.5 million from the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) for a trial looking at easing the pain of ear infections. This is part of a larger investment of over £15.8 million into research t...
Respiratory Infections Health Integration Team review of 2014-15
7 May 2015
Professor Alastair Hay, Director of the Respiratory Infections Health Integration Team (RuBICoN HIT), gives an update on the HIT's activities in 2014-15.
When is a child too sick for daycare?
23 April 2015
It’s a common dilemma faced by many working parents: your child has a cough or a cold, do you send them to nursery? Researchers from the University of Bristol have, for the first time, investigated the process of decision-making that parents go through w...
Respiratory Infections Health Integration Team review of 2013-14
12 August 2014
Professor Alastair Hay reflects on the achievements of the Respiratory Infections Health Integration Team (HIT) during 2013-14.
New rapid access clinic for bronchiectasis patients
15 May 2014
As part of the work of the Respiratory Infections HIT, the 'hot' clinic at North Bristol NHS Trust is being extended to provide a rapid access clinic for bronchiectasis patients.
New research centre set to revolutionise asthma care
13 May 2014
The University of Bristol is one of 13 academic and NHS organisations working together to form the Asthma UK Centre for Applied Research.
Work pressure means children attend nursery when ill
6 March 2014
Working parents are often caught between the needs of their sick child and their job, which can lead to continued day care use even when their child is ill.
RuBICoN HIT's Alastair Hay on R4's Inside Health
5 March 2014
University of Bristol's Professor of Primary Care and Respiratory Infections HIT Director Alastair Hay appeared on Radio 4's Inside Health on 19 February talking about coughs and antibiotic prescribing.
Focus on the Respiratory Infections HIT
27 January 2014
It’s the time of year when we’re all plagued by coughs and colds. The Respiratory Infections Health Integration Team, also known as RuBICoN HIT, is working hard to reduce the burden of these illnesses on both the NHS and the population of Bristol.
HIT seminar is a hit for APCRC
25 November 2013
The Avon Primary Care Research Collaborative (APCRC) seminar on Bristol Health Partners and our Health Integration Teams (HITs) on 19 November proved very popular, with more people than were registered turning up on the day.
