What is a JSNA?

PCTs and local authorities are required to produce a Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA) of the health and wellbeing of their local community. This is a requirement of The Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007.

The introduction of the Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA) and World class commissioning (WCC) marks a sea-change in the way in which the Department of Health (DH) requires Local Strategic Partnerships (LSPs), Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) and Local Authorities (LAs) to consider the needs of their local populations and in how they respond with effective commissioning of services to properly meet those needs. The needs of populations span NHS and Local Authorities, for example the joined up provision of stroke care services, and coordinated approaches to obesity and physical activity. Current policies aim to ensure that services are provided more flexibly, better supporting the needs of local communities, and are more effective at targeting the causes of health problems by intervening at much earlier stages. In order to support this challenging agenda it is essential to have a clear understanding of the needs of the whole population and the wider determinants of health, from both the perspective of the NHS and Local Authority.

How are we involved with JSNA?

Through three workstreams:

1. The JSNA core data set

We are working with the Eastern Region Public health Observatory (ERPHO) to revise the current JSNA core data set.

2. JSNA indicators

Via our National Adult Social care Intelligence Service (NASCIS), we are providing key JSNA indicators covering domains including demography, social and environmental context, lifestyle and risk factors, burden of ill-health and services.

3. Best Practice

We are working with a group of nine field site Local Strategic Partnerships (LSPs) and The Association of Public Health Observatories (APHO) to share best practice guidance and examples.

What are the benefits of JSNA?

The Joint Strategic Needs Assessment looks at the wider determinants of health, working with PCTs, Local Authorities and third sector providers.

A JSNA data set provides powerful indicators to establish current and future health needs of your local population. This in turn, supports better targeting of interventions to reduce health inequalities.

For PCTs, last year's world class commissioning panel assessments showed that the JSNA is a vital component of the world class commissioning competencies. With PCTs producing a JSNA to a high standard, typically achieve highly across these competencies.

Getting involved

Register for updates or attend one of our workshops. Get involved.