A research note: the exploration of political accountability in primary healthcare organisations Online publication date: Wed, 25-Feb-2009
by Carolyn J. Cordery
International Journal of Public Policy (IJPP), Vol. 4, No. 3/4, 2009
Abstract: Increasing demands on publicly funded healthcare systems have led to calls for reform and improved performance especially in primary healthcare, where early detection and treatment of disease along with the promotion of healthy lifestyles, should lead to improve social and economic outcomes (WHO, 1978). In New Zealand, recent primary healthcare reforms have increased funding to private not-for-profit organisations, and consequent performance monitoring requires them to be fully and openly accountable and be responsive to their communities (Minister of Health, 2001). These requirements follow the perceived wisdom that increased community input leads to more cost-effective primary healthcare delivery. However, this exploratory study illustrates that when political accountability is transferred to semi-autonomous organisations, effective processes and relationships take time to develop. Government funders should balance their expectations against those of providers and communities, in order to build and sustain healthy relationships for a more effective health system.
Existing subscribers:
Go to Inderscience Online Journals to access the Full Text of this article.
If you are not a subscriber and you just want to read the full contents of this article, buy online access here.Complimentary Subscribers, Editors or Members of the Editorial Board of the International Journal of Public Policy (IJPP):
Login with your Inderscience username and password:
Want to subscribe?
A subscription gives you complete access to all articles in the current issue, as well as to all articles in the previous three years (where applicable). See our Orders page to subscribe.
If you still need assistance, please email subs@inderscience.com
Our Blog 
Follow us on Twitter 
Visit us on Facebook