This paper presents the methodological approach and findings of one facet of a larger study. The main study, which had a health visiting focus, was concerned with an in-depth investigation of the value of the community profile approach in needs assessment and contracting for family health care from the perspective of one general practitioner (GP) fundholding practice1. The paper provides a critical review of the data collection processes involved in the compilation of a community profile for one area within the context of the NHS reforms 2, identifying appropriate data sources and evaluating them for accessibility, practical use and reliability and validity. In the wider study, a method to aggregate data sources and translate health need into meaningful service specifications for purchasing was developed.
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