What is a joint regional needs assessment?
A joint health needs assessment is a systematic method of identifying unmet health needs of a population and determining if changes are required to meet those unmet needs. It helps to determine the community’s health priorities, how to better use resources and plan programs or activities that support people’s health needs.
The JRNA is a collaborative assessment, jointly delivered by the Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service, the Northern Queensland Primary Health Network and the Queensland Aboriginal and Islander Health Council. There is also involvement of the Queensland
Ambulance Service (QAS), non-government healthcare providers and consumers in the Cairns and Hinterland region.
The outcomes
The joint assessment identified 22 health and service needs for the region across 10 key themes:
- First Peoples Health
- Pre-hospital care
- Specialist planned and emergency care
- Mental health and addiction services
- Chronic conditions, ageing and disability
- Maternal and child health
- End of life care
- Diverse population groups
- Healthy living
- Impacts of climate change on health
For any inquiries, please contact chhhs_planning@health.qld.gov.au.