Pushing the boundaries of Joint Strategic Needs Assessments (JSNA) - National JSNA Dataset Project

7 April 2010

The challenges faced by Local Strategic Partnerships (LSP), since the start of the JSNA requirement in April 2008, have been many and various. Yet the JSNA process itself has intrinsic qualities that can lead LSPs to find strategic, innovative and practical commissioning and service delivery solutions.

Striking the right balance between identifying priorities, taking the most appropriate commissioning decisions, yet at the same time delivering services that are responsive to your local populations may seem a tall order, yet findings from the National JNSA dataset project provide case studies present innovative practical solutions. From tackling local challenges through mini JSNAs, to tracking expenditure across care groups, to ensuring a closer working relationship with voluntary and community groups, the nine case studies below show some very innovative solutions to local health and well being challenges.

The National JSNA dataset project, was commissioned by the Department of Health and undertaken collaboratively between the Eastern Region Public Health Observatory, the NHS Information Centre and nine Local Strategic Partnerships across England. The aims of the project were to:

• test the JSNA processes and practices to their limits, and
• offer practical refinements to the JSNA process for its future
• set out lessons learnt

With very different challenges, each of the nine LSPs below to share their experiences :

The JSNA team at DH want to find out how best to support LSPs in the future with Joint Strategic National Assessments. Your answers to the questions set out below will help us to provide commissioners, service providers, third sector and voluntary organisations with the most the appropriate tools to meet the challenges of commissioning and service delivery for local people’s health and well being.

1. How useful do you find the dataset pilot studies?
2. What type of guidance/tools/activity would help you to improve your JSNA.
3. What are the biggest challenges for LSPs in the JSNA process and how did you overcome these challenges?
4. Have you a good example of where your JSNA has influenced commissioning which you would like to share with others?
5. Please give your views on the limitations of the current JSNA process. Your views can inform future supporting toolkits that are devised.

For more details about the national core data set case studies please contact Michelle.Kane@dh.gsi.gov.uk.