Needs Assessment

Author:
  • MSMike Slade
    Mike Slade
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Abstract
The National Health Service and Community Care Act 1990 defines needs as “the requirements of individuals to enable them to achieve, maintain or restore an acceptable level of social independence or quality of life” (Department of Health Social Services Inspectorate, 1991). Other definitions of need have also been used by researchers, based on different theoretical perspectives. Psychological theories have used the concept of need as a basis for understanding action. Psychiatry, by contrast, often employs the construct to inform service provision, and plan individual care. These issues are important because implementing the NHS and Community Care Act in a consistent manner will involve agreement on defining and prioritising need.