These web pages provide guidance and information to support PCTs and local authorities to do joint strategic needs assessment (JSNA).

JSNA is a process for collating and interpreting data and information, including local intelligence and patient and public views, to give a picture of the current and future health and well-being needs of the local community. It informs planning and commissioning of services for the short-, medium- and long-term, taking into account evidence of effectiveness.

The consultation document, Commissioning Framework For Health And Well Being, published in March 2007, built on the principles of Our Health, Our Care, Our Say about involving local communities in planning and providing services to meet their needs. The Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act (2007) places a duty on upper tier local authorities and PCTs to undertake and publish joint strategic needs assessments for their area in partnership with each other. Strategies and plans for meeting the needs of the community are to be underpinned by joint strategic needs assessment.

JSNA will not only inform commissioning of health and social care services, but will underpin the sustainable community strategies and refreshed local area agreements.

The background resources on these pages give the policy context and official guidance on JSNA.

The London resources are worked examples from PCTs and LAs in London, which have been posted to share learning about the process and data collection. Access to these pages is restricted to named contacts within London PCTs and LAs.