The paradox of the aged care act 1997: the marginalisation of nursing discourse

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Angus, Jocelyn and Nay, Rhonda (2003) The paradox of the aged care act 1997: the marginalisation of nursing discourse. Nursing inquiry, 10 (2). pp. 130-138. ISSN 1320-7881

Abstract

This paper examines the marginalisation of nursing discourse, which followed the enactment of the Aged Care Act 1997. This neo-reform period in aged care, dominated by theories of economic rationalism, enshrined legislation based upon market principles and by implication, the provision of care at the cheapest possible price. This paper exposes some of the gaps in the neo-reform period and challenges the assertion that the amalgamation of nursing homes and hostels in such an environment can provide better quality of care and life for residents. It argues that this amalgamation entails a transformation towards a social model of care and fails to address the professional healthcare needs of the acutely sick and complex extreme old person and makes evident new gaps in the provision of aged care services. The paper proceeds to present strategies where the future for nursing practice in aged care necessarily involves a judicious balancing of individual cases alongside economic prescriptions of care and ever-changing public policy initiatives. It concludes that this can be achieved through a more interactive public, professional and advocacy discourse. The methodology involves extensive analysis of public documents including media, academic journals, government reports and interviews with recognised leaders in the field of aged care. The study utilises a critical interpretative framework consistent with the logic of Michel Foucault.

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Item type Article
URI https://vuir.vu.edu.au/id/eprint/1107
DOI 10.1046/j.1440-1800.2003.00164.x
Official URL http://dx.doi.org/10.1046/j.1440-1800.2003.00164.x
Subjects Historical > RFCD Classification > 360000 Policy and Political Science
Historical > RFCD Classification > 320000 Medical and Health Sciences
Historical > RFCD Classification > 220000 Social Sciences, Humanities and Arts-General
Historical > Faculty/School/Research Centre/Department > School of Social Sciences and Psychology
Keywords advocacy, aged care, nursing, aged care policy
Citations in Scopus 19 - View on Scopus
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