Role: Research Associate

Affiliation: University of Cambridge

Area: Research

Summary

Dr. Alexander Komashie is a Research Associate at the Engineering Design Centre (EDC) in the Engineering Department of the University of Cambridge, United Kingdom.  He received a PhD in Systems in Engineering and M.Sc. in Advanced Manufacturing Systems (with Distinction) from Brunel University, UK. He also received a B.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering (1^st Class Honours) and Diploma in Mechanical Engineering (with Distinction) from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) in Ghana.  He had previously completed the Mechanical Engineering Craft Practice (MECP 1) which involved a practical training in mechanical engineering and manufacturing processes and the Ordinary Technician Diploma (OTD) in Electrical and Mechanical Engineering awarded by the City and Guilds, London.

His current area of research is focused on the role of modelling and simulation in the design of complex healthcare systems.

Role: Process Improvement Analyst

Affiliation: Southampton university hospital trust

Area: Health Services

Summary

Originally an Engineer, I then spent some years in Logistics and became involved in process improvement work and six sigma/ lean.

Moved to NHS in 2008.

Interested in the practical application of DES to process improvement projects and providing a modelling amd data analysis service to Process Improvement Managers to support their various projects.( this was the subject of my MSc disseration last year).

Currently interested in finding relevant previous work around radiology services in a NHS general/teaching hospital.

Also looking at potential of DES for scenario modelling of  future  activity by HRG groups and associated revenue from Tariffs

I am also interested in knowledge management and the “how do we  know what we dont know ?” question and looking at ways to improve knowledge sharing. I feel his is very relevant to Simulation as it could be a very valuable tool if only the right people knew about it!

Role: Head of Information & Contracts

Affiliation: NHS South Gloucestershire

Area: Health Services

Summary

Background in operational research/econometrics.

Worked in analytics and data modelling for decision making.

Role: Senior Lecturer

Affiliation: School of Management, University of Stirling

Area: Research

Summary

I have undertaken work in applying Operational Research Techniques to  problems in the Health Service for the past 12 years. I have undertaken many  interesting and enjoyable projects mainly in the acute sector. Initially much work was based arround capacity management issues, subsequently I have  worked on new methods of delivering health care: ambulatory care; diagnostic and treatment centers. More recently work has focused on redesign of services to meet performance targets. The main methods used have been simulation and pathway mapping. I have also been involved in a project on resource planning for the Scottish Ambulance Service.

Role: Research Fellow on Healthcare Modelling

Affiliation: SHTAC

Area: Research

Summary

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Role: Professor of Management Science

Affiliation: University of Stirling

Area: Research

Summary

After studying at the Universities of Cambridge and Lancaster, I worked in the coal industry and then for an engineering consultancy.  During my industrial career I developed a number of modelling tools for analysing and designing a variety of engineering and management systems.  I then moved to the University of Stirling where I am Professor of Management Science.  My main research interest in recent years has been the selective application of concepts and models from operations management in improving healthcare delivery.

Through a series of research projects, we have explored the potential for transferring various systems analysis and modelling tools into healthcare management.  Such tools can be most relevant but they often require some adaptation for healthcare reflecting the variety of stakeholders and the strong emphasis on patient-centred care.

Examples of techniques and models:

• pathway mapping
• simulation
• multi-criteria decision analysis + economic evaluation

Recent applications:

• Balance of Care
• Intensive Care Unit capacity
• Patient Transport Service allocation of resources
• redesign
  • A&E 4 hour target
  • 18 week referral to treatment target
• outpatient services
• delays to discharge
• Ambulatory Care
• concentration of Acute Services

Role: Director

Affiliation: Ventana Systems UK Ltd

Area: Commercial

Summary

Owner-Director of Ventana Systems UK since 2000, 18 years in System Dynamics working with clients in government, retail, banking, pharmaceuticals, transport etc, and including health.

Currently engaged in development of human resource models for healthcare practitioners usinf Vensim.

Role: Design Director

Affiliation: PlayGen

Area: Research

Summary

Over the past years working in serious games and simulations I have come to work on many projects for health.

I mainly have focused on:

•       Increasing user knowledge about illness, prevention and treatment.
•       Improving patient compliance.
•       Changing attitude and behaviour to inform empower and improve quality of life.
•       Improve doctor-patient communications and trust.
•       Boost productivity and reduce medical costs of healthcare organisations.

Working with playgen I have worked across many sectors of health. From disease prevention to patient compliance and sexual health matters for teenagers and parents.

My main expertise is applying playful solutions to medical training and patient well-being. Helping to digitlise health and really push forward “Games for Health”.

Summary

I am a Research Associate in Computations Mathematics at the Computer Science Research Institute, University of Ulster, Coleraine, UK. I recently (in June 2010) completed my PhD in health care modelling (Thesis title: “Unified modelling for care of the elderly”). During my PhD we developed and validated mathematical and statistical methods and models to make important information readily available to hospital staff, care managers and policy makers to aid strategic decision making and the implementation of strategies for effective care management and improvement. These models are illustrated and validated using three different datasets: a historical dataset on geriatric patients from an administrative database of a London Hospital, a nationwide dataset available from the English Hospital Episode Statistics database on stroke-related patients, and a 5 years’ retrospective dataset of stroke-related patients admitted to the Belfast City Hospital. Presently I am extending this work and developing improved models and exploring new applications including disease progression modelling, neuroimaging, and mining sensor network data. My publication record includes 7 papers published in refereed journals, 5 refereed book chapters, 1 contributed book, 1 edited book, 10 papers in refereed international conferences and 13 other (extended) abstracts in conferences.
My research interests include solving complex epidemiological and health & social care problems using stochastic modelling & simulation, mathematical/statistical analysis, Knowledge discovery and data mining methods.

This model was developed as part of an Action Learning Set for reablement services across Wales that involved nine Authorities and therefore saw an ithink model embedded within a wider toolkit supporting networked learning.  The model considers the impact of an optimised reablement service for a given local population and therefore provides an opportunity for reviewing local reablement services (in terms of both capacity and service model) in the context of the whole system.

Method

The model was built using ithink software following a review of national evidence and local experience in implementing reablement services. The Action Learning Set of which the project was a part convened a working group that met on three occasions to define the key issues and develop the model framework with the assistance of the consultants.

Context

The National Assembly for Wales had identified reablement services as a priority and had therefore asked the Social Services Improvement Agency to support Local Authorities in developing these services. The work continues to be promoted through the SSIA website as a key tool in reablement implementation across Wales.

Implementation

After making the tool available on the SSIA website Authorities have been encouraged to adopt the workbook and modelling approach to refine their plans for the development and enhancement of reablement services.

Evaluation

We have worked with WSP over two years on our reablement work programme. Their approach ensured the full engagement of a number of Councils and facilitated consensus building. The specific work on the capacity modelling tool enabled Councils and their partners to understand systems modelling and how to apply it to the development of their service. The feedback from participating council has been very positive and importantly has helped them to better understand their service and the impact that specific changes would have. It has also helped them to better understand gaps in their current knowledge and led to data development actions as well as operational changes. The resulting refinement / improvement of their operating model has helped a number of participating councils to realise cashable and non cashable efficiencies. – Vicky Poole, Social Services Improvement Agency, Wales

Further Information

A full report on the Reablement Framework Modelling Tool is available on request from Peter Lacey .