Social Policy and Administration, 44(4), August 2010, pp.512-528.
Publisher:
Wiley
This article provides an overview of the informal and institutional setting of long-term care in Portugal and focuses on service quality, discussing it alongside broader problems related to the organisation of long-term care in the country. It analyses the main providers, discussing structural, organisational, quality and financing aspects of a very complex situation that is currently evolving at a very fast pace, in adapting to Portuguese society’s new needs in the social care network and the recent introduction of what is designated as a third level of care, the National Network of Long-term Integrated Care (Rede Nacional de Cuidados Continuados Integrados – RNCCI). It presents the results of the first self-assessments these bodies have made of the quality and suitability of services provided from the users’ point of view. The results of a survey conducted by the Eurobarometer between 25 May and 30 June 2007 on the attitudes, needs and expectations of Portuguese citizens regarding long-term care and care of the elderly are discussed. The article concludes that the information and data available are insufficient to support any deep analysis of the situation and field action, and sets some lines for future work in this area.
This article provides an overview of the informal and institutional setting of long-term care in Portugal and focuses on service quality, discussing it alongside broader problems related to the organisation of long-term care in the country. It analyses the main providers, discussing structural, organisational, quality and financing aspects of a very complex situation that is currently evolving at a very fast pace, in adapting to Portuguese society’s new needs in the social care network and the recent introduction of what is designated as a third level of care, the National Network of Long-term Integrated Care (Rede Nacional de Cuidados Continuados Integrados – RNCCI). It presents the results of the first self-assessments these bodies have made of the quality and suitability of services provided from the users’ point of view. The results of a survey conducted by the Eurobarometer between 25 May and 30 June 2007 on the attitudes, needs and expectations of Portuguese citizens regarding long-term care and care of the elderly are discussed. The article concludes that the information and data available are insufficient to support any deep analysis of the situation and field action, and sets some lines for future work in this area.
Subject terms:
integrated services, long term care, older people, policy, policy formulation, quality assurance, social care provision, user views, attitudes, care homes;
Post general election edition including many of the concerns raised in the 1997 election campaign. Section 1 looks at current welfare policy and provision in Britain and section 2 examines international developments. Includes papers on: social policy under the Major governments; welfare to work; towards a learning society or towards 'learningfare'; the Family Law Act 1996; charging for community care; funding long-term care; issues facing the social services workforce; the experience of black workers in the social care workforce; the new boundaries of health and welfare in collaborative care; quality services in quasi markets; the relationship between social policy, its producers and consumers; the future of the welfare state; comparing welfare states; family-state boundaries in Europe; familism and selectivism in community care for the elderly - a comparison of the Republic of Ireland and the UK; social policy in Portugal; the welfare state and the Spanish socialists; and East Asian social policy.
Post general election edition including many of the concerns raised in the 1997 election campaign. Section 1 looks at current welfare policy and provision in Britain and section 2 examines international developments. Includes papers on: social policy under the Major governments; welfare to work; towards a learning society or towards 'learningfare'; the Family Law Act 1996; charging for community care; funding long-term care; issues facing the social services workforce; the experience of black workers in the social care workforce; the new boundaries of health and welfare in collaborative care; quality services in quasi markets; the relationship between social policy, its producers and consumers; the future of the welfare state; comparing welfare states; family-state boundaries in Europe; familism and selectivism in community care for the elderly - a comparison of the Republic of Ireland and the UK; social policy in Portugal; the welfare state and the Spanish socialists; and East Asian social policy.
Subject terms:
interagency cooperation, long term care, multidisciplinary services, older people, policy formulation, quality assurance, service users, social policy, social workers, staff, training, welfare state, black and minority ethnic people, central government, charges, community care, comparative studies, education, families, employment, financing;