This article presents a systematic literature review on the diffusion of innovations in health service organizations, commissioned by the UK Department of Health. The review aims to address how innovations can be spread and sustained in health service delivery and organization. It covers both content and process aspects, focusing on defining and measuring innovation diffusion, and reviewing the literature systematically. Key findings include: 1. **Model for Diffusion**: A parsimonious and evidence-based model for considering innovation diffusion in health service organizations is developed, which includes attributes of innovations, adopter characteristics, and contextual factors. 2. **Knowledge Gaps**: Clear areas where further research is needed are identified, such as the impact of organizational culture and leadership on innovation diffusion. 3. **Methodology**: A robust and transferable methodology for systematically reviewing health service policy and management is proposed, emphasizing the importance of meta-narrative review to explore the heterogeneity of approaches and findings. The review also discusses the importance of innovation attributes (relative advantage, compatibility, complexity, trialability, observability, and reinvention) and adopter characteristics (general and context-specific psychological antecedents, meaning, and adoption decision). Additionally, it highlights the role of social networks, opinion leaders, champions, and boundary spanners in diffusion and dissemination. The article concludes with recommendations for practice, policy, and further research, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive understanding of the complex interactions involved in innovation diffusion.This article presents a systematic literature review on the diffusion of innovations in health service organizations, commissioned by the UK Department of Health. The review aims to address how innovations can be spread and sustained in health service delivery and organization. It covers both content and process aspects, focusing on defining and measuring innovation diffusion, and reviewing the literature systematically. Key findings include: 1. **Model for Diffusion**: A parsimonious and evidence-based model for considering innovation diffusion in health service organizations is developed, which includes attributes of innovations, adopter characteristics, and contextual factors. 2. **Knowledge Gaps**: Clear areas where further research is needed are identified, such as the impact of organizational culture and leadership on innovation diffusion. 3. **Methodology**: A robust and transferable methodology for systematically reviewing health service policy and management is proposed, emphasizing the importance of meta-narrative review to explore the heterogeneity of approaches and findings. The review also discusses the importance of innovation attributes (relative advantage, compatibility, complexity, trialability, observability, and reinvention) and adopter characteristics (general and context-specific psychological antecedents, meaning, and adoption decision). Additionally, it highlights the role of social networks, opinion leaders, champions, and boundary spanners in diffusion and dissemination. The article concludes with recommendations for practice, policy, and further research, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive understanding of the complex interactions involved in innovation diffusion.