Working together to prevent violence: my visit to Southmead hospital
Walking into Southmead Hospital last week was a powerful reminder of why joined‑up working between health services, policing and our communities matters so deeply. I was welcomed by leaders from the Bristol NHS Group before heading into the Emergency Department, where clinicians and safeguarding specialists deal daily with people at some of the most difficult and vulnerable moments in their lives.
Their professionalism and compassion were striking — but so too was the innovation happening behind the scenes. Southmead has developed a new InjuryAlert system to improve how violence‑related injuries are recorded. It may seem like a technical detail, but better data saves lives. It helps us spot patterns earlier, understand where risks are emerging and intervene long before further harm takes place.
One idea that particularly resonated with me was embedding a youth worker or navigator directly in the Emergency Department. Hospital staff told me how often they see the same young people return following violent incidents. We discussed how a navigator could offer support in that crucial moment when someone may be most open to change — linking them to mentoring, education or specialist services that have the power to shift their future. It is an approach worth exploring as part of wider violence‑prevention work.
Our conversations also extended beyond emergency care. The Bristol NHS Group is working proactively in schools, supporting health‑careers programmes and building partnerships with organisations such as Bristol Rovers Community Trust — with ambitions to strengthen links with cricket, football and rugby foundations too. Sport and health are powerful levellers, bringing people together and building confidence, aspiration and belonging.
We also discussed how the flow of information between policing and the hospital can be strengthened. While operational communication is good, sharing earlier insights about emerging issues — in the same way we do in severe weather or other high‑risk situations — would help services prepare and respond more effectively. This is a clear opportunity for improvement.
Domestic abuse support was another key theme. Southmead has trained staff to spot the signs of abuse and has Independent Domestic Violence Advisors (IDVAs) on-site on some days. However, inconsistent funding across areas means specialist support is not always available when it’s most needed. Making sure victims can access safe, timely help in healthcare settings must remain a priority for all of us.
I left Southmead feeling inspired by the commitment of its staff and optimistic about what we can achieve together. Their teams are eager to share data more effectively, strengthen strategic collaboration and explore new approaches to supporting vulnerable people.
By working hand‑in‑hand across policing, health, education and community organisations, we can build on the strong foundations already in place and continue making Avon and Somerset a safer, more secure place for everyone.