The spatial analysis of community health services on Wirral using geographic information systems

This paper discusses the development of a geographical information system (GIS) for analysing the spatial distribution of community-based health services and the patients who use them on the Wirral peninsula in North West England. Information, with full geographical coding, has been obtained about General Practitioners on the Wirral and the services they provide, together with the location, age and sex of the patients registered with them. Data have also been assembled on the services provided at local clinics. This is augmented with information on administrative boundaries and the street network held in digital form, and with statistical information for small areas covering demographic structure, social conditions and deprivation. The GIS is being used to identify catchment areas for different services and to produce demographic, social and residential profiles for the patients who use them.