What is a Joint Strategic Needs Assessment?

JSNA describes a process that identifies current and future health and wellbeing needs in light of existing services, and provides information for future service planning. It identifies the 'big picture' in terms of the health and wellbeing needs of the population of Croydon.

Joint: it is a partnership between statutory bodies, agencies, patient and public representative bodies and community engagement
Strategic: it looks across a broad time frame - both medium term (3 to 5 years) and longer term (5 to 10 years)
Needs: it examines needs, not wants or demands. Its focus is on the needs of the population, rather than the needs of the individual
Assessment: it attempts to assess needs, and to place them appropriately in context.

We carry out the JSNA in accordance with the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007.  This year (2011/12) we are combining writing an overview of the health and wellbeing needs of Croydon with in-depth needs assessments of repeat abortions, children in poverty and people with long term conditions, particularly dementia. We will publish the overview and the needs assessments chapters on the website as soon as they are ready.

If you would like to comment on the 2011/2012 JSNA or previous years' chapters please email Fiona Assaly, health and wellbeing unit, on fiona.assaly@croydonpct.nhs.uk

Updates on implementation of recommendations