A Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA) is a ‘means by which PCTs and local authorities will describe the future of health and wellbeing needs of local populations and the strategic direction of service delivery to meet these needs’ (Commissioning for Health and Wellbeing 2007). It is aimed at commissioners and will allow them to commission services and interventions that are based on need and will in turn achieve better outcomes and reduce inequalities.
By providing analysis of data to show the health and wellbeing status of local communities, defining where inequalities exist and using local knowledge alongside evidence of effectiveness of interventions, the JSNA will inform more effective commissioning for health and wellbeing in both the short and long term. The structure of the Essex, Southend & Thurrock JSNA follows guidance provided in the Department of Health's JSNA core data set.
The JSNA is not a strategy or commissioning plan but should be used to inform local plans including, but not limited to, Sustainable Community Strategies, Local Area Agreements, NHS Local Operating Plans and Children’s & Young People’s Plans. The JSNA forms an integral part of the commissioning-cycle by providing assessment of current and future need, and identifying gaps in current provision. Local plans should be reviewed in light of the findings and recommendations of the JSNA. In turn the development of the evidence base and JSNA should be informed by the gaps in knowledge that are identified by this ongoing review.
In recognition of the importance of engaging all key partners and understanding the distinctive nature of different parts of Essex, we have produced a local profile for each of the twelve district / borough councils and the two unitary authorities together with a full and summary JSNA covering the whole of Essex, Southend and Thurrock.
We are currently in the process of refreshing the datasets within the JSNA to ensure it holds the most up to date information, and can be used as the most trusted source of data available. The information contained within these pages will be continually updated and refreshed.
For more information on the JSNA, please see the downloads and links sections on the side-bar or email info@essexpartnership.org