Based on the assumption that hospitals for delivery will be centralized to perinatal medical centers, we analyzed travel time and its equality before and after the centralization using the Gini coefficient.
For the impact caused by centralization of hospitals for delivery, the average travel time increased from 11.5 minutes to 18.7 minutes, and the Gini coefficients ranged from 0.39 to 0.38. When we assumed the centralization of hospitals for delivery, the travel time became longer, but its inequality was no changes or slightly improved.
In order to ensure the safe and secure perinatal care system, we have to consider the reality in which medical resources necessary for perinatal care are insufficient. We need to examine the re-allocation of medical resources, including centralization of hospitals for delivery based on accessibility and its equality. Our findings can contribute to the decision-making process in regional health plan.
