Newfoundland and Labrador (NL) Health Services is conducting a survey to help understand the health needs of residents and communities across the province. The Newfoundland and Labrador Statistics Agency (NLSA) is conducting the survey by mail and by phone using a randomized sample of provincial households.
- The survey will take 10-15 minutes to complete.
- Survey participation is voluntary.
- All answers will be kept strictly confidential.
- The NLSA will receive your responses and provide the health authority with the anonymous results.
- Any identifying information will be removed before the results are shared broadly.
Register to be kept informed of upcoming opportunities to participate in this and other public engagements:
What is a Community Health Assessment?
The purpose of a Community Health Assessment is to gain a deeper understanding of the health needs and strengths of a population. This is the first time NL Health Services has conducted a province-wide assessment, but the organizations that make up our new health authority have conducted them previously. Community Health Assessments include:
- gathering information about local health and wellness (facts and opinions)
- collecting information about health and community resources (assets)
- evaluating the information to determine strengths, needs, and the community’s priorities
- building partnerships and strategizing together to address health and wellness needs using the assets and resources within the community.
To gather the data, we will conduct a survey, do research and hold public engagement sessions throughout the province. This process will take place between now and the end of the summer. In the fall, we will release a public report and begin to use the data to inform our decision-making.
How will the organization use the data collected?
Health care practitioners highly value Community Health Assessments, and the results are widely analyzed and shared. The Assessment includes community profiles, health asset lists and general information on the health and well-being of the population we serve. This information is used for planning purposes, helping us identify our strategic priorities and determining where and how to provide healthcare services.
How will I receive the survey?
The Newfoundland and Labrador Statistics Agency (NLSA) is distributing the survey via mail and will also be contacting individuals by telephone. Not everyone in the province will be contacted; the NLSA is using the random sampling technique to administer this survey. "Random sampling" involves selecting a small group of participants from a larger population randomly, so that the resulting responses are representative of the larger population. Individuals selected to take part will be contacted directly via telephone or mail by the NLSA. If you receive a letter, it will include a secure access code and instructions on how to complete the survey online.
What about a potential postal strike?
While NL Health Services is committed to broad and equitable participation across the province, potential disruptions to Canada Post services may affect the delivery of mailed survey invitation letters. Residents who were mailed a survey invitation but did not respond may be contacted by phone and given the opportunity to complete the survey during the call or electronically using a direct survey link.
In some cases, telephone calls from the NLSA may occur before an invitation letter is received. These calls are part of the official survey process, and selected participants will be guided through the survey or provided with instructions to complete it online.
Ensuring that voices from all areas of the province are heard remains a top priority. NL Health Services values the time and insight provided by residents, recognizing that this input is essential to building a more responsive, community-informed health-care system.