'Designing Better Health Care in the South': A Case Study of Unsuccessful Transformational Change in Public Sector Health Service Reform

This article presents a case study of a project known as 'Designing Better Health Care in the South' that attempted to transform four separately incorporated health services in southern Adelaide into a single regional health service. The project's efforts are examined using Kotter's (1996) model of the preconditions for transformational change in organisations and the areas in which it met or failed to meet these preconditions are analysed, using results from an evaluation that was commenced during the course of the attempted reform. The article provides valuable insights into an attempted major change by four public sector health organisations and the facilitators and barriers to such change. It also examines the way in which forces beyond the control of individual public sector agencies can significantly impact on attempts to implement organisational change in response to an identified need. This case study offers a rare glimpse into the micro detail of health care reform processes that are so widespread in contemporary health services but which are rarely systematically evaluated.     

The risky business of public–private partnerships

Public–private partnerships (PPPs) are now a common strand of third way government policy, with better efficiency promised from the private funding of public infrastructure through the transfer of risks to private parties. This paper aims to investigate, on an empirical basis, the realities of risk transfers in PPPs and compare this experience against both the rhetoric of project proponents and the formal contract conditions. The paper outlines some conceptual frameworks underpinning PPPs and establishes the notions of risk shifting and risk sharing. The range of typical risks encountered in infrastructure projects is specially considered, and differences to traditional project delivery arrangements are articulated. Some empirical experience on the transfer of risks under PPPs is then outlined through a case study. This analysis shows the extent to which risks were shifted to the private parties as planned, or whether risks remained with government. It is argued that while commercial risks were largely well managed, governance risks were not. It is critical to understand better the nature of risk transfers in PPPs in view of the large financial implications of these deals along with long contract terms.     

当前我国缉毒工作构想

毒品犯罪是一个极其严重的社会问题,关系到国家的兴衰,民族的兴亡。针对我国现阶段毒品犯罪的状况以及目前我国缉毒工作中存在的问题,提出相应的对策,以引起社会广泛关注,共同寻求打击毒品犯罪的根本途径。     

提高党的执政能力与深化行政体制改革

加强党的执政能力建设是党执政后的一项最根本的建设。提高党的执政能力 ,必须深化行政体制改革。要按照科学执政的要求 ,落实科学发展观 ,把握行政体制改革的规律性 ;要按照民主执政的要求 ,坚持执政为民 ,建设人民满意的公共服务型政府 ;要按照依法执政的要求 ,推进依法治国与依法行政 ,建立以公民权利为本位的法治政府     

略论网络环境对犯罪动机的强化效应

网络犯罪的高发性表明网络环境对于犯罪心理的形成会有影响。犯罪心理形成的标志是犯罪动机的建立。在网络环境中,人的需要、犯罪条件、个体消极心理因素等直接影响犯罪动机形成的因素都有条件得到强化,从而使犯罪动机产生的几率大大增加。     

十年来我国妇女/性别理论研究的发展--联合国第四次世界妇女大会产生的积极影响

从1995年第四次世界妇女大会在北京的筹备和召开,到后来举行的北京 5和北京 10等一系列相关的活动,世妇会的原则和理念得到了不断的强化,这些理念凝结和渗透在妇女理论研究领域,极大地推进了我国妇女/性别理论研究事业的发展。本文回顾了十年来妇女/性别理论研究在研究内容、研究视角及研究机制等方面的变化和进展,以期进一步推动我国的妇女/性别研究在社会科学研究领域的重要影响。     

成都市建设规范化服务型政府建设的初步成效及经验

成都市规范化服务型政府建设取得了六个方面的初步成效:行政效率进一步提高;投资环境进一步改善;政府形象进一步提升;行政决策的科学化、民主化程度进一步提高;城市竞争力和综合实力进一步加强;在探索中形成了具有地方特色的“成都模式”。形成了六点基本经验:始终坚持以科学发展观为指导,把“以人为本”的理念具体化;始终坚持配套改革、环环相扣,注重稳步推进;始终坚持大胆借鉴、勇于创新,把相关理论与本地实践结合起来;始终坚持专家论证、方案设计,积极动员群众广泛参与;始终坚持决策实施、执行有力,避免文牍主义和形式主义;始终坚持“阳光财政”,依法取消部门非正当利益。     

紧抓奥运契机做好供热保障

北京城市供热作为城市建设发展的支撑和城市运行的载体,在七年的奥运筹办期间,充分利用奥运给予行业发展的历史契机,科学发展,圆满实现了奥运供热保障的目标。     

经济社会的可持续发展体面劳动和工会的作用

经济社会可持续发展的直接受益者,无疑应当是广大的劳动者,尤其是劳动者能够在物质生产领域获得体面劳动的尊严.在推进经济社会可持续发展战略目标过程中,体面劳动也是中国致力于实现的目标之一.为此,中国工会应在促进就业、实现核心劳工标准,实现社会保护以及社会对话等方面做出不懈努力,实现劳资双赢,共谋企业发展.     

Years of life lost from suicide in China, 1990-2000

Suicide is an important public health problem in China: It is the fifth leading cause of death in China, and suicide in China accounts for over 30% of the world's overall suicide deaths. The substantial burden due to suicide has not been well recognized. This study aims to provide an estimate of the socioeconomic burden of the suicide problem in China in terms of years of life lost (YLL) and to discuss its implications. Suicide rates and the related YLL by age, gender, and region (urban/rural) from 1990 to 2000 were estimated using the most recent data from the Ministry of Health of China. The suicide rate in rural China was three times higher than that in urban areas. Suicide completers in rural areas shared 90% of total YLL. Rural women aged 25-39 years contributed the largest share of YLL. Our results show that some population subgroups contributed a disproportionate share to the disease burden of suicide. National strategies for suicide prevention should include targeted programs in catering the need of these specified subgroups in China.