A facility location model for analysis of current and future demand for sexual health services

<div><p>In this paper we address the clinic location selection problem for a fully integrated Sexual Health Service across Hampshire. The service provides outpatient services for Genito-Urinary Medicine, contraceptive and reproductive health, sexual health promotion and a sexual assault referral centre. We aim to assist the planning of sexual health service provision in Hampshire by conducting a location analysis using both current and predicted patient need. We identify the number of clinic locations required and their optimal geographic location that minimise patient travel time. To maximise the chances of uptake of results we validate the developed simple algorithm with an exact method as well as three well-known, but complex meta-heuristics. The analysis was conducted using car travel and public transport times. Two scenarios were considered: current clinic locations only; and anywhere within Hampshire. The results show that the clinic locations could be reduced from 28 to 20 and still keep 90% of all patient journeys by public transport (e.g. by bus or train) to a clinic within 30 minutes. The number of clinics could be further reduced to 8 if the travel time is based on car travel times within 15 minutes. Results from our simple solution method compared favourably to the exact solution as well as the complex meta-heuristics.</p></div

Scenario 2 results—Candidate location permissible any postcode sector centroid.

<p>Scenario 2 results—Candidate location permissible any postcode sector centroid.</p

Map showing the demand by postcode sector in Hampshire, UK, and the locations selected in scenario 2b (blue).

<p>The size of the clinics is proportional to the demand expected over the period of one year.</p

Map showing the demand by postcode sector in Hampshire, UK, and the locations selected providing 95% coverage in scenario 2a (blue).

<p>The size of the clinics is proportional to the demand expected over the period of one year.</p

Map showing the demand by postcode sector in Hampshire, UK and current clinics (red).

<p>The size of the clinics is proportional to the demand expected over the period of one year.</p

Result comparison by percentage of covered demand.

<p>Result comparison by percentage of covered demand.</p

Map showing the non-aggregated 15 minutes driving time coverage by scenario 1b.

<p>The size of the clinics is proportional to the demand expected over the period of one year.</p

Scenario 1 results—Restricted to existing facilities.

<p>Scenario 1 results—Restricted to existing facilities.</p

Map showing the demand by postcode sector in Hampshire, UK, and the locations selected in scenario 1b (blue).

<p>The size of the clinics is proportional to the demand expected over the period of one year.</p

Hampshire map showing the population of 15–44 year old.

<p>Hampshire map showing the population of 15–44 year old.</p