title: The policy work of piloting: Mobilising and managing conflict and ambiguity in the English NHS.
abstract: In spite of their widespread use in policy making in the UK and elsewhere, there is a relatively sparse literature specifically devoted to policy pilots. Recent research on policy piloting has focused on the role of pilots in making policy work in accordance with national agendas. Taking this as a point of departure, the present paper develops the notion of pilots doing policy work. It does this by situating piloting within established theories of policy formulation and implementation, and illustrating using an empirical case. Our case is drawn from a qualitative policy ethnography of a local government pilot programme aiming to extend access to healthcare services. Our case explores the collective entrepreneurship of regional policy makers together with local pilot volunteers. We argue that pilots work to mobilise and manage the ambiguity and conflict associated with particular policy goals, and in their structure and design, shape action towards particular outcomes. We conclude with a discussion of the generative but managed role which piloting affords to local implementers.
authors.affiliation: University of Manchester, UK. Electronic address: simon.j.bailey@manchester.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Simon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bailey
authors.affiliation: University of Manchester, UK.
authors.forename: Kath
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Checkland
authors.affiliation: University of Manchester, UK.
authors.forename: Damian
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Hodgson
authors.affiliation: University of Manchester, UK.
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: McBride
authors.affiliation: University of Manchester, UK.
authors.forename: Rebecca
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Elvey
authors.affiliation: University of Manchester, UK.
authors.forename: Stephen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Parkin
authors.affiliation: Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust, UK.
authors.forename: Katy
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Rothwell
authors.affiliation: University of Manchester, UK.
authors.forename: Dean
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Pierides
mesh_terms: D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D057766:Policy; D011050:Policy Making; D011057:Politics; D024382:Professional Role; D013222:State Medicine / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006113:United Kingdom
keywords: Healthcare; Policy entrepreneurs; Policy implementation; Policy pilots