I suppose it's a bit trite to point out that references from French sources
may have exactly the same function of aiming to convince audiences of
'superiority'.
However, I do agree that it needs a balanced approach- pity you didn't tell
us more.
The 35 hour week in France is interesting because currently in Britain the
NHS would collapse due to lack of staff if such a working time was
introduced. Yet I am sure most people here would like the idea of the same
money for less hours (even if they wouldn't understand/care about the
possible positive implications for employment levels etc).
The question for us is- have the French succeeded in producing a more
socially just/desirable employment arrangements while maintaining the high
standards they have a reputation for? Or is it a bit like your trains?-
great service that costs an arm and a leg that in the long term is simply
unsustainable.
You suggest the impact is mixed so I guess I'll modify those questions with
the caveat 'to what extent'
A brief answer would be great- I must say it is nice to have some
international input (no offence to previous contributors intended!).
Tim Clark
University of Birmingham
----- Original Message -----
From: "jp revauger" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Sunday, June 08, 2003 8:45 AM
Subject: Re: Catastrophe in French health care
References to the French health system in the British press and in British
political discourses and references to the British health system in France
usually have the same function: they aim to convince audiences of the
superiority of their own national models. Serious consideration of the
strengths and weaknesses of systems requires a rather difficult and balanced
analysis.
The impact of the 35 hour week in France, and comparisons with British
mores, is a case in point.
Quoting dramatic headlines from the French press does not necessarily help
British experts understand what exactly is happening over here (I mean chez
nous).
Best wishes,
Jean Paul Révauger
Université de Bordeaux III.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Paul Spicker" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <>
Sent: Wednesday, June 04, 2003 11:40 PM
Subject: Catastrophe in French health care
> I'm running behind this week, and I've only just got round to reading my
> copy of Le Monde Hebdo from 31st May. There is a full page article on the
> crisis in the French health service, original date 23 May. Here is a
> taster:
>
> <<At the root of this fiasco: the staggering shortage of nursing staff.
> "With the closure of training schools, the main cause of the shortage, and
> the application of the 35 hour working week, the result is there:
> catastrophe!" says with alarm the chief service manager, Catherine
> Toffolon, herself a former nurse. She gives a simple example of the
current
> situation: "Before ... children who have hurt their fingers by jamming
them
> in the door would be kept in for at least a night. Now, they're being
given
> a bandage and told to come back tomorrow. Just to get the bed!">>
>
> from: N Bastuck et al., Hopitaux: rien ne va plus, Le Monde 23.5.03
>
>
> Paul Spicker
> Professor of Public Policy
> Centre for Public Policy and Management
> The Robert Gordon University
> Garthdee Road
> Aberdeen AB10 7QE
> Scotland
>
> Tel: + 44 (0) 1224 263120
> Fax: + 44 (0) 1224 263434
>
> Website: http://www.rgu.ac.uk/publicpolicy/
|