title: Policy through procurement - the introduction of digital signal process (DSP) hearing aids into the English NHS.
abstract: Despite being a major user of many technologies and innovations, the healthcare sector's role and influence as a procurer of technologies has been poorly represented by the literature and consequently is not fully understood. Providing a practical example of the introduction of digital signal process (DSP) hearing aids in to the English NHS, this paper discusses the role of public sector procurement agencies in the uptake of technologies from the private sector and their adoption by the public sector. Employing a system of innovation (SI) approach, the paper highlights the need for policy-makers to adopt a dynamic as well as systemic perspective that recognises the shifting roles, responsibilities and interactions of key stakeholders throughout the innovation process.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Research in Strategic Purchasing and Supply (CRiSPS), University of Bath School of Management, Bath BA2 7AY, UK. W.E.Phillips@bath.ac.uk
authors.forename: Wendy
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Phillips
authors.forename: Louise
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Knight
authors.forename: Nigel
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Caldwell
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Warrington
mesh_terms: D006291:Health Policy; D006310:Hearing Aids; D006801:Humans; D013222:State Medicine / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006113:United Kingdom