Strategic Health Asset Planning and Evaluation (SHAPE) is “a web-enabled, evidence-based application which informs and supports the strategic planning of services and assets across a whole health economy” (HEJ – September 2011).
Its “scenario planning” features are designed to help service commissioners determine the service configuration that provides the best affordable access to care. SHAPE links clinical analyses, public health, primary care, and demographic data with healthcare estates performance and facilities location. The application includes GIS mapping, and supports travel-time analysis. SHAPE contains data for England currently configured at SHA, PCT, and GP consortia levels. The model can also help to improve service access, and determine the optimum location for new facilities, by providing detailed population and needs profiles of service catchment areas.
