DGHPSIM: performance modelling of general hospitals

In this paper, we discuss the development of a generic suite of simulation models that can be parameterised to show the performance of general hospitals in England with respect to waiting times. The models can be parameterised to suit particular hospitals using both nationally available data and data collected at each hospital. The models are intended to allow hospital managers to experiment with different approaches to performance improvement and also regulators to assess the likely performance of hospitals. The aim is to add quantitative insights to the qualitative debate in which policy is often formed.