Simulation Stream

Talk:

Hyperlocal COVID Simulations: Transmission, Recovery and Redesign 

The COVID-19 response has resulted in a radically reorganised health and social care service.  Substantial impact on health services resulted from an ICU expansion that effectively managed the first peak, although many non-COVID services had to close as a result. Strategies are needed to support COVID-19 alongside more traditional health services (including their restoration after future COVID-19 spikes) and new or alternative digital services. 

This presentation will introduce an Agent Based Simulation that has been developed at Brunel University London – FACS.  The hyperlocal nature of this simulation will be discussed, including the automation of model building from OpenStreetMaps.  A connected service simulator will also be presented that explores the operational service capacity and backlog in several COVID scenarios. Our hybrid simulation approach has been used by the NHS in London and enables simulation to fully reflect hyperlocal characteristics such as physical geography, hospital configuration and service capacity.  

Simulation modelling in the COVID-19 pandemic

This presentation discusses how simulation modelling can be used to support decision-makers in a pandemic, such as COVID-19, in making the most informed decisions. We identify the challenges resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic and offer a guide to what support is available from the simulation community. This presentation is based on a recently published paper in the Journal of Simulation.

How can simulation support fast, agile decision making that provides the frontline with answers as they need them, when they can have the biggest impact?

Over the last six months, the world has shifted. Plans and normal business operations have been thrown in the air and we’ve had to adapt to a very different world. Change and uncertainty have become normal. During this time simulation has become key in helping businesses and healthcare adapt quickly and rapidly to an ever-changing situation. This talk will focus on user stories, detailing how they’ve supported their organizations during COVID-19, and reflect on what this has taught us about how simulation projects must be run to support frontline decision making.