Enhancing antenatal clinics decision-making through the modelling and simulation of patients flow by using a system dynamics approach. A case for a British northwest hospital

In the past 60 years, the maternal mortality rate in the United Kingdom has dropped considerably. However, the number of high-risk pregnancies including those complicated by pre-existing maternal health problems e.g. diabetes or lifestyle illnesses e.g. obesity has resulted in an increased demand on obstetric outpatient management of pregnancy at British National Health Service hospitals. In addition, patients also expect better access and convenient appointments in the antenatal clinic. Despite on-going work in these areas, long delays in clinic waiting rooms continue to be a great source of frustration for patients and staff. These delays have a considerable social cost to the economy and a financial cost to the health economy. Therefore, this paper considers a realistic study for supporting decision-makers in antenatal clinics in British northwest hospitals by using a system dynamics approach through causal-loop diagrams. The focus is to enhance the performance of the clinic, by understanding the flow of patients though a hospital clinic thereby aiming to reduce waiting times for patients.