The production of a Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA) is meant to be a key enabler of effective commissioning to improve health and well-being outcomes. This study explores whether the desired relationship between commissioning and the JSNA has occurred and if not, what could be done to improve that relationship.
The project was structured around key questions, centred on commissioners’ requirements and how they can be reconciled with the practice and requirements of people working in public health, as well as how the JSNA processes can best be constructed to promote outcomes-based commissioning.
It involved the review of, and discussions with, eight local authorities. JSNAs were assessed against the project questions, and interviews were conducted with Directors of Public Health, Directors of Adult Social Services and Directors of Childrens` Services at each of the localities using a semi-structured interview. Interviews were also conducted with people who were responsible for the coordination and preparation of the JSNA.
The report analyses JSNA content and identifies overarching themes, presenting and discussing findings from the interviews against each of the identified questions. There are summary analyses of these findings, including recommendations for steps that could be taken to improve the relationship between commissioning and the JSNA.
For further information please contact Kam Dhillon at IPC
Email: ipc@brookes.ac.uk
Tel. 01865 790312
