What is the Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA)?
A Joint Strategic Needs Assessment looks at the current and future health and care needs of local populations to inform and guide the planning and commissioning (buying) of health, well-being and social care services within a local authority area.
Health and Wellbeing Boards are required by law to produce JSNAs under the Health and Social Care Act 2012
Main aims of the JSNA
- Identify Needs: Assess the current and future health and social care needs of the local population.
- Inform Planning: Provide evidence-based information to guide the planning and provision of health, social care, and public health services.
- Promote Integration: Encourage collaboration between different organisations, such as the NHS, local authorities and community groups – to address identified needs.
- Reduce Inequalities: Highlight health disparities and target resources to reduce inequalities in health outcomes.
- Support Decision-making: Help health and wellbeing boards make informed decisions about priorities and strategies to improve local health and wellbeing.
Who is the JSNA for?
The main audience for the JSNA are health and social care commissioners who use it to plan services.It can also be used as an evidence base for preparing bids and business cases:
- by the voluntary and community sector to ensure that community needs and views are represented.
- by service providers to assist in the future development of their services.
- by the public to scrutinise local health and wellbeing information, plans and commissioning recommendations.
Who is involved in producing the JSNA?
The JSNA development is led by the Public Health Intelligence Team and and is supported by by a JSNA steering group which includes representatives from the NHS, districts and county councils, police, fire, community and voluntary sector and other local services.
Health and Wellbeing Strategy
The JSNA informs the priorities in the Health and Wellbeing Strategy which is a strategy to address the needs identified in the JSNA.
Where can I find the JSNA Overview?
Where can I find JSNA resources?
A glossary explaining the technical terms used in the JSNA can be found here.
Where do I go if I have any further questions?
Please visit the contact us page on the website and submit your question.