A Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA) looks at the current and future health and care needs of local populations to inform and guide the planning and commissioning (buying) of health, wellbeing and social care services within a local authority area.
Aims of the JSNA
The main aims of the JSNA are to:
- 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 the JSNA is 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, and by the public to scrutinise local health and wellbeing information, plans and commissioning recommendations.
What the JSNA looks like in Devon
JSNAs are flexible and enable local areas to focus on the priorities and present information in the way most relevant to them. JSNA documents in Devon include:
- the JSNA chapters – providing detailed insights into key areas of health and care needs in the county, including the impact of population change, deprivation and economic conditions
- the (NEW) JSNA Headline Report, supplements the JSNA chapters and provides a wide range of health and care information for geographic areas, including towns, local authorities, and GP practices
- the Devon Health and Wellbeing Outcomes Report, which monitors progress against the priorities identified in the Devon Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy
- detailed needs assessments covering detailed information on specific topics
- other outcomes reports and links to other related documents
Who is involved in producing the JSNA in Devon
The JSNA development is led by the Public Health Intelligence Team and is supported 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.
Get in touch
If you have any other questions about the JSNA, please email us at publichealth-mailbox@devon.gov.uk.