You are here

  1. Home
  2. Fixing the system?: the experience of service users of the quasi-market in disability services in Australia

Fixing the system?: the experience of service users of the quasi-market in disability services in Australia

A qualitative study involving semi-structured interviews with 31 people with disabilities and 32 carers in the state of Queensland, Australia, found that their experience of supportive service delivery had not improved despite reforms of the service delivery system driven by a version of the quasi-market model. Instead of delivering increased consumer choice and improved efficiency in service delivery, users experienced inadequate service supply, service cutbacks and increased emphasis on cost subsidisation and assessment processes. Additionally, few consumers felt that individualised funding arrangements had personally delivered the benefits which the quasi-market model and associated policy paradigm had indicated they should receive. For many consumers, the notion of consumer 'choice' around service provision was fictitious and they felt that any efficiency gains were at the agency level, largely at the consumers' cost. It is concluded that there appears to be no particular benefit to service users of quasi-market reforms, particularly in policy contexts where service delivery systems are historically under-funded.

Access source material through DOI
Additional Titles
Health and Social Care in the Community
Original source (some source materials require subscription or permission to access)

Key Information

Type of Reference
Jour
ISBN/ISSN
1365-2524;0966-0410
Resource Database
Social care online
Publication Year
2005
Issue Number
1
Volume Number
13
Start Page
56-63