Showing papers by "Ruth Northway published in 2003"
TL;DR: A critical examination of how the concept of Quality of Life might be used to enhance learning disability nursing practice is offered, suggesting that they can be helpful as sensitizing concepts, a basis for collaborative care planning and a framework for evaluation.
Abstract: This paper offers a critical examination of how the concept of Quality of Life might be used to enhance learning disability nursing practice. Quality of Life will increasingly influence the provision and evaluation of services and practice in the field of learning disability. Attempting to define and assess Quality of Life is, however, problematic because of the complexity and multidimensional nature of the concept. The use of domains to measure Quality of Life is advocated by many researchers for both objective and subjective measures and use of Quality of Life as an evaluation tool is seen as a way of improving the life quality of people with learning disabilities. However, there are concerns that the use of such an approach could perpetuate professional agendas rather than empower people with learning disabilities themselves. To date, Quality of Life approaches have not had a major impact on learning disability nursing. However, it is suggested that they can be helpful as sensitizing concepts, a basis for collaborative care planning and a framework for evaluation. Recommendations are made for education, practice and research.
20 citations
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TL;DR: The Human Rights Commission has been a leading protagonist for the disadvantaged of Australia, working with very limited resources and often in the face of carping and usually illinformed criticism as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: If reports emanating from Canberra are correct, the Human Rights Commission is destined to die in December of this year. It is my hope that such reports are false. For the almost five years of its existence the Commission has been a leading protagonist for the disadvantaged of Australia, working with very limited resources and often in the face of carping and usually illinformed criticism. Those who took the trouble to find out about its work in conciliation, community education, and research as well as its advisory role to Government, would have seen it as a valuable and relatively cost-effective operation. That it is less than perfect is undoubtedly true, but the aim should be to improve the Commission not to kill it off.
9 citations
TL;DR: The difficult relationship between quality of life and social policy, provides an overview of key policy developments within Poland (both general and disability specific), and outlines some ways in which they have impacted on the lives of people with intellectual disabilities are outlined.
Abstract: The past decade has been a time of great political, social and economic change within Poland. Such changes have affected the lives of all citizens including those with an intellectual disability. However, within the English language literature there is little published concerning the impact of changes in social policy on this group of people and the extent to which their quality of life has been enhanced. This article thus considers the difficult relationship between quality of life and social policy, provides an overview of key policy developments within Poland (both general and disability specific), and outlines some ways in which they have impacted on the lives of people with intellectual disabilities. It is suggested that further research is required before clear conclusions can be drawn. Areas for service development and research are thus proposed.
5 citations