Patricia Kennedy – författare

This book is the first comprehensive international overview of maternity services. Drawing on concepts of risk and social citizenship, it explores the relationship between welfare regimes and health policy by comparing and contrasting provision for childbearing women.Each substantive chapter focuses on a different country, presenting detailed contextual information on health care provision, maternity interventions and birth outcomes there. They discuss key issues such as birth rates and fertility patterns, the role of patient choice, attitudes to place of birth and maternity entitlements among others, and the countries covered represent diverse welfare regimes, including Ireland, Scotland, Sweden, the Netherlands, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. An extended introduction and a conclusion draw the book together and place it in the context of the literature on comparative welfare regimes.It is an important reference for students and academics interested in comparative social policy, health services research, and maternity services and policies.

Key Themes in Social Policy provides an accessible and authoritative introduction to the key concepts used in social policy, from autonomy to wellbeing.With over 100 ideas discussed, this is a comprehensive student guide and is designed to help readers to gain a deeper understanding of major debates and issues. Each entry: explains the origin of the word discusses its relationship to the social sciences describes its relevance to social policy and how widespread its use is outlines some of the key thinkers and research on the topic and gives suggestions for further reading.Making it easy to understand and use the most important ideas in the area, this is an essential companion for all students taking social policy courses.

Key Themes in Social Policy provides an accessible and authoritative introduction to the key concepts used in social policy, from autonomy to wellbeing.With over 100 ideas discussed, this is a comprehensive student guide and is designed to help readers to gain a deeper understanding of major debates and issues. Each entry: explains the origin of the word discusses its relationship to the social sciences describes its relevance to social policy and how widespread its use is outlines some of the key thinkers and research on the topic and gives suggestions for further reading.Making it easy to understand and use the most important ideas in the area, this is an essential companion for all students taking social policy courses.

This book is the first comprehensive international overview of maternity services. Drawing on concepts of risk and social citizenship, it explores the relationship between welfare regimes and health policy by comparing and contrasting provision for childbearing women.Each substantive chapter focuses on a different country, presenting detailed contextual information on health care provision, maternity interventions and birth outcomes there. They discuss key issues such as birth rates and fertility patterns, the role of patient choice, attitudes to place of birth and maternity entitlements among others, and the countries covered represent diverse welfare regimes, including Ireland, Scotland, Sweden, the Netherlands, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. An extended introduction and a conclusion draw the book together and place it in the context of the literature on comparative welfare regimes.It is an important reference for students and academics interested in comparative social policy, health services research, and maternity services and policies.

The historical development of Irish social policy is charted here, with discussion of major influences on policy formation. Ireland is presented in a comparative context and as an example of the mixed economy of welfare. Policy-making, financing and evaluation are explained.

Theorising Irish Social Policy addresses theoretical and conceptual debates underpinning Irish social policy and is an advanced text for courses in social policy as well as being intended for academics, researchers, policy analysts and policy makers. It will be an invaluable aid for students who in the past were left to their own devices in the task of relating internationally developed themes and frameworks to Irish developments. The book is comprehensive in its choice of themes which include an introductory discussion on locating Irish social policy, followed by chapters written by leading Irish academics on globalisation; communitarianism, social capital and subsidiarity; individualisation; women, autonomy and bodily integrity; fathers, identity and well-being; poverty and insecurity; equity, efficiency and health care; difference and social diversity; rights and judicial activism.Theorising Irish Social Policy is part of the University College Dublin Press series of social policy texts, which include Contemporary Irish Social Policy (1999), Irish Social Policy in Context (1999), Disability and Social Policy in Ireland (2003) and Mental Health and Social Policy in Ireland (forthcoming, 2005).

This book explores many of these aspects of ageing in Ireland today. It is envisaged that it will serve as an appraisal of policy developments to date and as a point of departure for future challenges. It is ideal for undergraduate and postgraduate students eager to familiarise themselves with the challenges for older people, their families, service providers and policy makers. It is a resource for those approaching gerontology for the first time and introduces conceptual and theoretical writings on ageing.The book is pertinent to a range of training courses for social workers, psychologists, doctors, nurses and care workers and the same professional groups employed in working with older people. It has relevance for the vast array of agencies engaged in policy creation and implementation in this area. Each chapter addresses a specific area of social policy, forming a complete unit in itself. Taken together, the chapters provide the reader with a readily accessible and wide-ranging overview of ageing and social policy in Ireland.