REGULATION AND REFORM - PROMOTING RESIDENTS RIGHTS IN AUSTRALIAN NURSING-HOMES

The residents' rights movement has a relatively recent history in Aust ralia, although it is well established in the United States. The recen t Ronalds consultancy (1988-1989) established a national policy agenda for the residents' rights movement in Australia, including a Charter of Residents' Rights and Responsibilities, a Resident/Proprietor Agree ment, independent advocacy services and complaints units with the Depa rtment of Health, Housing and Community Services. A less well publicis ed aspect of recent reforms to the aged care system also converges sig nificantly on the issue of residents' rights. In 1987, a new and sophi sticated system of nursing home regulation was introduced by the Austr alian government. The standards monitoring program, which is at the fo refront of international developments in this field, is resident centr ed and outcome oriented. The data presented here suggest that the prog ram has contributed toward the development of residents' rights in nur sing homes, via improved commitment amongst management, and greater pa rticipation by residents. Yet overall progress in residents' rights re mains precarious. Several conflicts of interest and sources of constra int are identified.