title: The emperor's edicts stop at the village gate.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To present an overview of policy implementation, and develop principles for effective policy development and implementation.
  
  
  METHODS
  An overview of literature on policy implementation, and analysis of lessons from some recent experiences in Australian and New Zealand mental health services.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Effective development and deployment of policy is much more complex than the commonly held, simplistic compliance model. There are principles that can guide effective policy development and implementation. Future areas of study include the policy implementation systems and change management processes in the health service setting.
authors.affiliation: Mental Health Services, Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, Australia. nick.oconnor@sswahs.nsw.gov.au
authors.forename: Nick
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: O'Connor
authors.forename: Beth
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kotze
authors.forename: Ruth
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Vine
authors.forename: Murray
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Patton
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Newton
mesh_terms: D001315:Australia; D006291:Health Policy; D006801:Humans; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D009520:New Zealand; D015279:Organizational Culture; D011050:Policy Making