Strategic threat health response in Australia capital cities: Predicting the optimum locations for field hospitals through geospatial analysis

Objective: The advent of the COVID-19 pandemic has accentuated the critical importance of epidemic preparedness within national healthcare systems. This study presents a geospatial analysis aimed at optimising the placement of field hospitals in Australia to ensure adequate healthcare access during pandemics. Methods: The latest census data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics were integrated with the spatial locations of current emergency departments within Australian capitals. Buffer zones with a 7.5 km radius were created around the public emergency departments (EDs). Buffer zones outside the 7.5 km radius that exhibited high population densities were categorised into high-density (red), moderate-density (yellow) and low-density (green) zones to prioritise and tailor healthcare responses during a pandemic. The identification of high-density population areas outside the ED radius enabled the stratification of potential sites for ED facilities. Results: Ninety-one potential field hospital sites were identified across Australia's capital cities. The findings indicate that the addition of these sites would place over 95% of the population within a 7.5 km radius of an ED facility. This network of proposed sites is designed to serve a spectrum of population densities, ensuring equitable healthcare access for both densely populated urban centres and less populated areas. Conclusions: This study underscores the potential of field hospitals to strengthen Australia's public health system against emergencies. By advocating for the creation of 91 field hospitals within a 7.5 km reach for over 95% of urban dwellers across major cities, it demonstrates a strategic approach to ensure comprehensive ED coverage. Drawing on international examples, including China's Fangcang hospitals, the USA's post-acute care (PAC) facilities and the United Kingdom's National Health Service (NHS) Nightingale Hospitals, it highlights the need for healthcare agility and scalability, especially during pandemic outbreaks. The research presents a blueprint for field hospital deployment, marking a significant advancement in public health logistics and protection across Australia's varied demographic and geographical landscapes.