Topic-Specific Health Needs Assessments (HNA)
Topic-specific Health Needs Assessments (HNA) and Spotlight reports for the health of adults, children and young people. We produce a number of health needs assessments. These are the means by which we assess the current and future health, care and wellbeing needs of the local population.
The following Needs Assessments have been completed:
2025 – Dementia Health Needs Assessment
This Health Needs Assessment (HNA) uses a systematic approach to identify the unmet health and healthcare needs of people living with dementia in Central Bedfordshire. It provides insight into the number of people living with dementia now and in the future, identifies risk factors, service use demand and stakeholder experiences, as well as recommendations for prevention, addressing modifiable risk factors and better collaboration with stakeholders.
2024 – Oral Health Needs Assessment of Children & Young People
This oral health needs assessment (OHNA) is to describe the oral health profile of children and young people living in Bedford Borough and Central Bedfordshire, to provide an overview of the currently commissioned oral health improvement services in the area, and to identify any potential gaps in service provision.
2023/24 – Bedfordshire Violence and Exploitation Reduction Unit (VERU) and Serious Violence Duty (SVD) – Strategic Needs Assessment 2023/24
This Strategic Needs Assessment (SNA) identifies and details the drivers of violence and exploitation in Bedfordshire and the cohorts of people most affected. It fulfils the dual requirements for the Bedfordshire Violence and Exploitation Reduction Unit (VERU) and the specified authorities under the Serious Violence Duty (SVD) to produce an SNA. The geographical focus of Bedfordshire mirrors the area covered by the Bedfordshire police force and the local unitary authorities of Bedford Borough Council, Central Bedfordshire Council, and Luton Borough Council.
2024 – Domestic Abuse Safe Accommodation Needs Assessment
This needs assessment seeks to understand the barriers that prevent victims/survivors of Domestic Abuse with diverse needs from accessing support within safe accommodation. It includes identifying those who share relevant protected characteristics or socio-economic factors such as household composition, education level and the varying levels of support needs and risk.
2022/23 – Drug & Alcohol Needs Assessment Summary
The Drug and Alcohol Needs Assessment was undertaken by the Public Health team, with contributions from key partners. It was developed in response to the Dame Carol Black review recommendations and the 10-year national drug strategy, From Harm to Hope (1,2). It covers all of Bedfordshire (Bedford Borough, Central Bedfordshire and Luton) will be used to inform the Combating Drugs Partnership (CDP) work plan and form the basis of a drug strategy to meet the aim of delivering on the three key priorities outlined in the national strategy.
2022 – Sexual Health & Contraception HNA
This health needs assessment aimed to analyse the current need for sexual health and
contraception services among the residents of Bedford Borough and Central Bedfordshire.
This was done combining the corporate, comparative and participatory approaches to needs
assessment.
2022 – Musculoskeletal HNA
2022 – Oral Health Needs Assessment of Children & Young People
This oral health needs assessment (HNA) describes the oral health of children and young people under the age of 18 living in Bedford Borough and Central Bedfordshire and the relevant services that are currently commissioned. Key issues are identified, and recommendations to improve oral health and reduce oral health inequalities in the local area are provided. This work will inform the development of an action plan to improve the oral health of children in Bedford Borough and Central Bedfordshire.
2021 – JSNA for Special Education Needs and Disabilities in Central Bedfordshire
2019 – Children & Young People’s Mental Health and Wellbeing
A needs assessment for Bedford Borough, Central Bedfordshire and Milton Keynes Councils, focusing on prevention, early intervention and access to services
2016 – Dementia HNA
This health needs assessment aims to systematically review the needs of people with dementia and their carers in Central Bedfordshire