Assuring the Quality of Health Care in the European Union

Assuring the Quality of Health Care in the European Union
Author: Helena Legido-Quigley
Publisher: World Health Organization
Total Pages: 242
Release: 2008
Genre: Medical
ISBN: 9289071931

People have always travelled within Europe for work and leisure, although never before with the current intensity. Now, however, they are travelling for many other reasons, including the quest for key services such as health care. Whatever the reason for travelling, one question they ask is "If I fall ill, will the health care I receive be of a high standard?" This book examines, for the first time, the systems that have been put in place in all of the European Union's 27 Member States. The picture it paints is mixed. Some have well developed systems, setting standards based on the best available evidence, monitoring the care provided, and taking action where it falls short. Others need to overcome significant obstacles.

Improving the Quality of East and West European Public Services

Improving the Quality of East and West European Public Services
Author: Elke Ler
Publisher: Routledge
Total Pages: 270
Release: 2017-11-30
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 1351155903

This volume provides a comprehensive overview of current reforms in public sector quality management in Eastern Europe. Comparisons are made with trends in Western European countries to draw out the lessons emerging from current developments (including e-governance). Case studies from twelve countries and five comparative and conceptual studies identify how quality is put into practice, how the level of quality is assessed through quality accreditation systems and how e-government and citizen involvement may help to improve public service quality. The findings make essential reading for academics and students in public policy and public administration who are interested in modernization of the public sector from an international perspective. It also provides helpful guidance for reformers who want to try new approaches to improving the quality of public services.

Improving the Quality of East and West European Public Services

Improving the Quality of East and West European Public Services
Author: Elke Ler
Publisher: Routledge
Total Pages: 270
Release: 2017-11-30
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 1351155903

This volume provides a comprehensive overview of current reforms in public sector quality management in Eastern Europe. Comparisons are made with trends in Western European countries to draw out the lessons emerging from current developments (including e-governance). Case studies from twelve countries and five comparative and conceptual studies identify how quality is put into practice, how the level of quality is assessed through quality accreditation systems and how e-government and citizen involvement may help to improve public service quality. The findings make essential reading for academics and students in public policy and public administration who are interested in modernization of the public sector from an international perspective. It also provides helpful guidance for reformers who want to try new approaches to improving the quality of public services.

Developing Quality in Personal Social Services

Developing Quality in Personal Social Services
Author: Adalbert Evers
Publisher: Routledge
Total Pages: 325
Release: 2019-05-23
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 0429787405

First published in 1997, this volume is about the challenge of introducing business-originated concepts of quality assurance, personal social services are currently confronted with all over Europe. Undoubtedly, the new orientation towards a more business-like approach in social welfare settings will raise professionalism, "client-orientation" and controlling (instead of mere inspection). There is evidence, however, that the specificities of personal social services are not always taken into account if it comes to introducing market values and mechanisms. Due to this development it becomes essential to promote more adequate criteria for quality standards in the very field of personal social services. The challenge is to maintain a certain standard of service provision while at the same time reconsidering the preconditions for defining quality. This will imply the search for a consensus between allegedly diverging approaches, i.e. between their different basic concepts, aims and standards. Given the social and economic context within which these developments are taking place, the focus of the contributions is on their critical assessment in different European countries. An overview is given about national developments in the areas of care for older persons and other social services. The contributors from Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, and the UK look at how and by whom quality is defined and what challenges the actors of the traditionally mixed economy of personal social services are meeting. Empirical evidence about user involvement and satisfaction is given but also theoretical reasoning about the impact of business approaches on a "pubic good". Thus, the book tries to fill an important gap in practice, research and policy-making concerning personal social services and quality issues.

Collaboration in Public Services

Collaboration in Public Services
Author: Andrew Gray
Publisher: Transaction Publishers
Total Pages: 278
Release: 2003
Genre: Political Science
ISBN: 9780765801838

The International Group for Policy and Program Evaluation (INTEVAL) serves as a forum for scholars and practitioners of public policy to discuss ideas and developments as a community dedicated to enhancing the contribution of evaluation to government. From the group's studies has emerged a concern with the impact of public management reforms. Collaboration in Public Services examines collaboration in the delivery of public policies and identifies the challenges for policy and program evaluation. Written by a mix of academics, program managers, evaluators, and auditors, this volume explores the forms and challenges of collaboration in different national contexts. Chapter 1 introduces the notion and manifestations of collaboration and discusses emerging issues. Chapter 2 examines partnerships and networks of public service delivery. Chapter 3, drawing on Dutch and British data, reveals the QUANGO as both a collaborative end and means. Chapter 4 analyzes Israel's push to enhance collaboration with voluntary organizations. Chapter 5 examines the Canadian and Danish experiences. Chapter 6 suggests that the creation of markets to improve quality has not been totally successful at least in Nordic countries. Chapter 7 suggests that traditional service values such as trust and parliamentary accountability are challenged by the complexity of collaboration, but, using illustrations from Canada and other OECD countries, argues that results-based governance can increase trust, flexibility, and empowerment. Chapter 8 demonstrates from Dutch and Canadian experiences that auditor responses to collaborative delivery tend to overlook traditional roles as guardians of accountability on behalf of parliaments. Chapter 9 deliberates the efficacy of programs involving multiple partners. Chapter 10 discusses the lessons and challenges of evaluation and collaborative government. Andrew Gray is emeritus professor of public sector management, University of Durham and deputy editor of Public Money and Management. Bill Jenkins is professor of public policy and management at The University of Kent and deputy editor of Public Administration. Frans Leeuw is chief review officer, the Netherlands' Inspectorate for Education and professor of sociology at Utrecht University. John Mayne is a principal with the Office of the Auditor General of Canada.

Managing Public Services - Implementing Changes

Managing Public Services - Implementing Changes
Author: Tony L. Doherty
Publisher: Routledge
Total Pages: 584
Release: 2005-08-18
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 1134679521

Focusing on change as a constant factor in the management of any organization, this informative book helps the student and practitioner to develop the skills and knowledge they require to underpin the work of a modern service manager in rapidly-changing public sector organizations - whether publicly owned, privately managed or sub-contracted. Taking a distinctive approach, emphasizing management and organizational learning as keys to organizational success, this introductory text is solidly practical and is supported by strong pedagogical features including: case studies review questions illustrative vignettes. This comprehensive text has been specifically designed and developed to meet the needs of students studying public services management at undergraduate, certificate diploma and postgraduate level. It allows the reader to develop transferable skills in thinking and learning as they work through the book and gives greater awareness of the benefits of continuous learning for staff and managers.

International Handbook of Practice-Based Performance Management

International Handbook of Practice-Based Performance Management
Author: Patria de Lancer Julnes
Publisher: SAGE
Total Pages: 561
Release: 2007-09-10
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 1412940125

A combination of conceptual and practical applications with an emphasis on cutting-edge practices in the US and abroad, this text represents the most notable examples of performance measurement in Canada, Latin America and Eastern Europe, and supports the integration of theory and practice, with linked chapters.

The Oxford Handbook of Public Management

The Oxford Handbook of Public Management
Author: Ewan Ferlie
Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA
Total Pages: 805
Release: 2007
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 019922644X

The public sector continues to play a strategic role across the world and in the last thirty years there have been major shifts in approaches to its management. This text identifies the trends in public management and the effects these have had, as well as providing a broad overview to each topic.

Administrative System Innovation and Building a Public Service-Oriented Government

Administrative System Innovation and Building a Public Service-Oriented Government
Author: Marc Holzer
Publisher: Cambridge Scholars Publishing
Total Pages: 331
Release: 2019-11-15
Genre: Political Science
ISBN: 1527543587

From the late 1970s until the present day, the New Public Management movement flourished in the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Australia and a number of other countries over the globe. Nowadays, governments across the world are more service-oriented than previously, and administrative system innovations are encouraging new ways of improving public services. Increasingly, more and more countries are witnessing administrative innovations to provide better, quicker, and more efficient and effective service to the public. To this end, this collection of essays highlights public service theory and practices. While some chapters concentrate on innovation in administrative systems, others pay attention to more theoretic and practical issues. A few examine municipal-level public service and innovation, whereas others focus on environment, community policing, public infrastructure, partnership governance, and e-service and e-participation, as well as citizen participation. The book represents an excellent, updated resource for scholars, students and practitioners in the broad field of public administration, public policy, public affairs and public management.