A new structure for healthcare services in Bristol has been confirmed as a national first.
It marks the first time a partnership between an Academic Health Science Centre and an Integrated Care System has been fully established in England.
It’s hoped that Bristol Health Partners and the working structure will make good use of academic research and innovation in Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire. The new partnership was approved at a Healthier Together Partnership Board meeting in early July.
Professor David Wynick, Director of Bristol Health Partners AHSC, said: “We are the first AHSC to have developed this very close formal relationship with our ICS and we are excited about the opportunities it presents. We hope it will lead to the delivery of world-class health, clinical and economic outcomes through improved prevention of illness and disease and better integration of health and care services in our region.”
In total, Bristol Health Partners is made up of 11 local organisations which includes NHS trusts, universities and local councils.
Bristol Health Partners includes representatives from senior primary care, NIHR Applied Research Collaboration West, the NIHR Clinical Research Network West of England, and links up with local university research institutes.
Robert Woolley and Julia Ross, Chief Executives at University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust and BNSSG Clinical Commissioning Group, respectively; and executive co-leads of Healthier Together, said: “We are delighted to be working in partnership with Bristol Health Partners AHSC and be the first area in the country to formalise this arrangement.
“Our area has considerable strength in health research and this partnership can only further integrate this research into the delivery of our services and development of our dedicated health and care workers.
“This is an exciting opportunity, and we look forward to developing this relationship further to ensure sustainable, high-quality care for everyone in BNSSG.”
For more information on Bristol Health Partners, click here.
