Modelling deadlock in queueing systems

Motivated by the needs of Aneurin Bevan University Health Board, this thesis ex- plores three themes: the phenomenon of deadlock in queueing systems, the develop- ment of discrete event simulation software, and applying modelling to the evaluation of the effects of a new healthcare intervention, Stay Well Plans, for older people in Gwent. When customers in a restricted queueing network become mutually blocked, and all possible movement ceases, that system becomes deadlocked. This thesis novelly investigates deadlock. A graph theoretical method of detecting deadlock in discrete event simulations is given, analytical models of deadlocking systems are built, and these are used to investigate the effect of system parameters on the expected time until reaching deadlock. Furthermore a deadlock resolution procedure is proposed. An open source discrete event simulation software, Ciw, is developed. This software is designed and developed using best practice principles. Furthermore it permits the use of best practice, such as reproducibility, in simulation modelling. Ciw is used for the modelling of a healthcare system, in order to evaluate the effect of Stay Well Plans. During the development of these models, a number of techniques are employed to overcome the difficulties of lack of data. Insightful results from these models are obtained, indicating a shift in demand from residential care services to community care services