University of Exeter Medical School

Thomas Monks

Thomas Monks

Associate Professor of Health Data Science

 South Cloisters 

 

South Cloisters, University of Exeter, St Luke's Campus, Heavitree Road, Exeter, EX1 2LU, UK

Overview

Thomas Monks is an Associate Professor of Health Data Science.  He holds a joint position between University of Exeter Medical School and the Institute of Data Science and AI. He is a Turing Fellow at the Alan Turing Institute and an Honorary Senior Research Fellow at the Clinical Operational Research Unit, Department of Mathematics, UCL. 

Between 2014 and 2019, Thomas led the NIHR CLAHRC Wessex funded Data Science research group at University of Southampton.  His early career was spent as software engineer and Operational Research modeller in industry and the public sector. He has worked for 10 years as a researcher with NIHR funded CLAHRC infrastructure.

Thomas is a methodologist with expertise is in applying computer simulation methods, optimisation and machine learning in health service delivery. His work aims to translate Data Science and Operational Research tools improve the quality and safety of health and social care.  He has a strong interest in Open Science for health data science.

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Publications

Journal articles

Currie C, Fowler J, Kotiadis K, Monks T, Onggo BS, Robertson D, Tako A (In Press). How simulation modelling can help reduce the impact of COVID-19. Journal of Simulation
Griffiths P, Saville C, Ball J, Jones J, Patterson N, Monks T (In Press). Nursing Workload, Nurse Staffing Methodologies & Tools: a systematic scoping review & discussion. International Journal of Nursing Studies
Griffiths P, Saville C, Ball J, Pattison N, Monks T (In Press). Performance of the Safer Nursing Care Tool to measure nurse staffing requirements in acute hospitals: a multi-centre observational study. BMJ Open
Griffiths P, Saville C, Ball JE, Culliford D, Pattison N, Monks T (In Press). Performance of the Safer Nursing Care Tool to measure nurse staffing requirements in acute hospitals: a multi-centre observational study. BMJ Open
Monks T, Harper A (2023). Computer model and code sharing practices in healthcare discrete-event simulation: a systematic scoping review. JOURNAL OF SIMULATION  Author URL.
Harper A, Monks T, Wilson R, Redaniel MT, Eyles E, Jones T, Penfold C, Elliott A, Keen T, Pitt M, et al (2023). Development and application of simulation modelling for orthopaedic elective resource planning in England. BMJ Open, 13(12), e076221-e076221. Abstract.
Huo Z, Booth J, Monks T, Knight P, Watson L, Peters M, Pagel C, Ramnarayan P, Li K (2023). Distribution and trajectory of vital signs from high-frequency continuous monitoring during pediatric critical care transport. Intensive Care Medicine – Paediatric and Neonatal, 1(1).
Monks T, Harper A, Allen M, Collins L, Mayne A (2023). Forecasting the daily demand for emergency medical ambulances in England and Wales: a benchmark model and external validation. BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making, 23(1). Abstract.
Crowe S, Grieco L, Monks T, Keogh B, Penn M, Clancy M, Elkhodair S, Vindrola-Padros C, Fulop NJ, Utley M, et al (2023). Here’s something we prepared earlier: Development, use and reuse of a configurable, inter-disciplinary approach for tackling overcrowding in NHS hospitals. Journal of the Operational Research Society, 1-16.
Monks T, Harper A (2023). Improving the usability of open health service delivery simulation models using Python and web apps. NIHR Open Research, 3, 48-48. Abstract.
Monks T, Harper A (2023). Improving the usability of open health service delivery simulation models using Python and web apps. NIHR Open Res, 3 Abstract.  Author URL.
Pearn K, Allen M, Laws A, Monks T, Everson R, James M (2023). What would other emergency stroke teams do? Using explainable machine learning to understand variation in thrombolysis practice. European Stroke Journal, 8(4), 956-965. Abstract.
Endacott R, Pearce S, Rae P, Richardson A, Bench S, Pattison N (2022). How COVID-19 has affected staffing models in intensive care: a qualitative study examining alternative staffing models (SEISMIC). Journal of Advanced Nursing, 78(4), 1075-1088. Abstract.
Endacott R, Pattison N, Dall'Ora C, Griffiths P, Richardson A, Pearce S (2022). The organisation of nurse staffing in intensive care units: a qualitative study. Journal of Nursing Management, 30(5), 1283-1294. Abstract.
Allen M, James C, Frost J, Liabo K, Pearn K, Monks T, Everson R, Stein K, James M (2022). Use of Clinical Pathway Simulation and Machine Learning to Identify Key Levers for Maximizing the Benefit of Intravenous Thrombolysis in Acute Stroke. Stroke, 53(9), 2758-2767. Abstract.  Author URL.
Allen M, James C, Frost J, Liabo K, Pearn K, Monks T, Zhelev Z, Logan S, Everson R, James M, et al (2022). Using simulation and machine learning to maximise the benefit of intravenous thrombolysis in acute stroke in England and Wales: the SAMueL modelling and qualitative study. Health and Social Care Delivery Research, 10(31), 1-148. Abstract.
Currie CSM, Monks T (2021). A Practical Approach to Subset Selection for Multi-objective Optimization via Simulation. ACM Transactions on Modeling and Computer Simulation, 31(4). Abstract.
Griffiths P, Saville C, Ball JE, Jones J, Monks T (2021). Beyond ratios - flexible and resilient nurse staffing options to deliver cost-effective hospital care and address staff shortages: a simulation and economic modelling study. International Journal of Nursing Studies, 117, 103901-103901.
Allen M, Pearn K, Monks T (2021). Developing an OpenAI Gym-compatible framework and simulation environment. for testing Deep Reinforcement Learning agents solving the Ambulance Location. Problem. Abstract.  Author URL.
Monks T, Allen M, Harper A, Mayne A, Collins L (2021). Forecasting the daily demand for emergency medical ambulances in England and Wales:. A benchmark model and external validation. Abstract.
Allen M, Bhanji A, Willemsen J, Dudfield S, Logan S, Monks T (2020). A simulation modelling toolkit for organising outpatient dialysis services during the COVID-19 pandemic. PLOS ONE, 15(8), e0237628-e0237628.
Onggo BS, Corlu CG, Juan AA, Monks T, de la Torre R (2020). Combining symbiotic simulation systems with enterprise data storage systems for real-time decision-making. Enterprise Information Systems, 15(2), 230-247.
Saville C, Monks T, Griffiths P, Ball J (2020). Costs and consequences of using average demand to plan baseline nurse staffing levels: a computer simulation study. BMJ Quality and Safety, 2020:0, 1-10.
Allen M, Monks T (2020). Integrating Deep Reinforcement Learning Networks with Health System. Simulations. Abstract.  Author URL.
Allen M, Bhanji A, Willemsen J, Dudfield S, Logan S, Monks T (2020). Organising outpatient dialysis services during the COVID-19 pandemic. A simulation and mathematical modelling study. Abstract.
Griffiths P, Saville C, Chable R, Dimech A, Jones J, Jeffrey Y, Pattison N, Saucedo AR, Sinden N, Monks T, et al (2020). The Safer Nursing Care Tool as a guide to nurse staffing requirements on hospital wards: observational and modelling study. Health Services and Delivery Research, 8 Abstract.
Penn ML, Monks T, Kazmierska AA, Alkoheji MRAR (2020). Towards generic modelling of hospital wards: Reuse and redevelopment of simple models. JOURNAL OF SIMULATION, 14(2), 107-118.  Author URL.
Lamas-Fernandez C, Hayward G, Moore M, Monks T (2019). A mathematical model for designing networks of C-Reactive Protein point of care testing. PLoS One, 14(9). Abstract.  Author URL.
Penn ML, Monks T, Pope C, Clancy M (2019). A mixed methods study of the impact of consultant overnight working in an English Emergency Department. Emerg Med J, 36(5), 298-302. Abstract.  Author URL.
Allen M, Pearn K, Monks T, Bray BD, Everson R, Salmon A, James M, Stein K (2019). Can clinical audits be enhanced by pathway simulation and machine learning? an example from the acute stroke pathway. BMJ Open, 9(9). Abstract.  Author URL.
Saville CE, Griffiths P, Ball JE, Monks T (2019). How many nurses do we need? a review and discussion of operational research techniques applied to nurse staffing. International Journal of Nursing Studies, 97, 7-13. Abstract.
Griffiths P, Saville C, Ball JE, Culliford D, Pattison N, Monks T (2019). Performance of the Safer Nursing Care Tool to measure nurse staffing requirements in acute hospitals: a multi-centre observational study. Abstract.
Monks T, Currie CSM, Onggo BS, Robinson S, Kunc M, Taylor SJE (2019). Strengthening the reporting of empirical simulation studies: Introducing the STRESS guidelines. JOURNAL OF SIMULATION, 13(1), 55-67.  Author URL.
Keogh B, Monks T (2019). The impact of delayed transfers of care on emergency departments: common sense arguments, evidence and confounding. Emergency Medicine Journal, 37(2), 95-101. Abstract.
Keogh B, Culliford D, Guerrero-Ludueña R, Monks T (2018). Exploring emergency department 4-hour target performance and cancelled elective operations: a regression analysis of routinely collected and openly reported NHS trust data. BMJ Open, 8(5). Abstract.  Author URL.
Johnson M, Cross L, Sandison N, Stevenson J, Monks T, Moore M (2018). Funding and policy incentives to encourage implementation of point-of-care C-reactive protein testing for lower respiratory tract infection in NHS primary care: a mixed-methods evaluation. BMJ OPEN, 8(10).  Author URL.
Penn M, Meskarian R, Monks T (2018). Using Health Systems Analytics to Help the NHS. Impact, 3(2), 43-46.
Meskarian R, Penn ML, Williams S, Monks T (2017). A facility location model for analysis of current and future demand for sexual health services. PLOS ONE, 12(8).  Author URL.
Monks T, van der Zee DJ, Lahr MMH, Allen M, Pearn K, James MA, Buskens E, Luijckx GJ (2017). A framework to accelerate simulation studies of hyperacute stroke systems. Operations Research for Health Care, 15, 57-67. Abstract.
Allen M, Pearn K, Villeneuve E, Monks T, Stein K, James M (2017). Feasibility of a hyper-acute stroke unit model of care across England: a modelling analysis. BMJ Open, 7(12). Abstract.  Author URL.
Meskarian R, Monks T, Chappell R, Kipps C (2017). [P3–477]: REGIONAL CAPACITY PLANNING FOR DEMENTIA CLINIC DIAGNOSIS. Alzheimer's & Dementia, 13(7S_Part_24), p1159-p1159.
Monks T, Worthington D, Allen M, Pitt M, Stein K, James MA (2016). A modelling tool for capacity planning in acute and community stroke services. BMC Health Serv Res, 16(1). Abstract.  Author URL.
Monks T, Robinson S, Kotiadis K (2016). Can involving clients in simulation studies help them solve their future problems? a transfer of learning experiment. EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF OPERATIONAL RESEARCH, 249(3), 919-930.  Author URL.
Monks T (2016). Operational research as implementation science: definitions, challenges and research priorities. IMPLEMENTATION SCIENCE, 11  Author URL.
Craig P, Rahm-Hallberg I, Britten N, Borglin G, Meyer G, Köpke S, Noyes J, Chandler J, Levati S, Sales A, et al (2016). Researching Complex Interventions in Health: the State of the Art : Exeter, UK. 14-15 October 2015. BMC Health Serv Res, 16 Suppl 1(Suppl 1). Abstract.  Author URL.
Pitt M, Monks T, Crowe S, Vasilakis C (2016). Systems modelling and simulation in health service design, delivery and decision making. BMJ Qual Saf, 25(1), 38-45. Abstract.  Author URL.
Monks T, Pearson M, Pitt M, Stein K, James MA (2015). Evaluating the impact of a simulation study in emergency stroke care. Operations Research for Health Care, 6, 40-49. Abstract.
Penn ML, Kennedy AP, Vassilev II, Chew-Graham CA, Protheroe J, Rogers A, Monks T (2015). Modelling self-management pathways for people with diabetes in primary care. BMC FAMILY PRACTICE, 16  Author URL.
Hoad K, Monks T, O'Brien F (2015). The use of search experimentation in discrete-event simulation practice. JOURNAL OF THE OPERATIONAL RESEARCH SOCIETY, 66(7), 1155-1168.  Author URL.
Monks T, Pearson M, Pitt M, Stein K, James MA (2014). Evaluating the impact of a simulation study in emergency stroke care. Operations Research for Health Care Abstract.
Monks T, Pitt M, Stein K, James MA (2014). Hyperacute stroke care and NHS England's business plan. BMJ, 348  Author URL.
Monks T, Pitt M, Stein K, James MA (2014). Hyperacute stroke care and NHS England's business plan: Computer simulation, coupled with high quality data, can help in decision making. BMJ (Online), 348
Monks T, Robinson S, Kotiadis K (2014). Learning from discrete-event simulation: Exploring the high involvement hypothesis. European Journal of Operational Research, 235(1), 195-205. Abstract.
Pearson M, Monks T, Gibson A, Allen M, Komashie A, Fordyce A, Harris-Golesworthy F, Pitt MA, Brailsford S, Stein K, et al (2013). Involving patients and the public in healthcare operational research-The challenges and opportunities. Operations Research for Health Care
Pearson M, Monks T, Gibson A, Allen M, Komashie A, Fordyce A, Harris-Golesworthy F, Pitt MA, Brailsford S, Stein K, et al (2013). Involving patients and the public in healthcare operational research-The challenges and opportunities. Operations Research for Health Care, 2 Abstract.
Monks T, Robinson S, Kotiadis K (2013). Learning from discrete-event simulation: Exploring the high involvement hypothesis. European Journal of Operational Research
James MA, Monks T, Stein K, Pitt M (2012). Abstract 2524: Increasing the Proportion of Patients Treated with Stroke Thrombolysis: Reducing In-hospital Delays has Substantially More Impact than Extension of the Time Window. Stroke, 43(suppl_1).
Monks T, Pitt M, Stein K, James M (2012). Maximizing the population benefit from thrombolysis in acute ischemic stroke: a modeling study of in-hospital delays. Stroke, 43(10), 2706-2711. Abstract.  Author URL.
Pitt M, Monks T, Agarwal P, Worthington D, Ford GA, Lees KR, Stein K, James MA (2012). Will delays in treatment jeopardize the population benefit from extending the time window for stroke thrombolysis?. Stroke, 43(11), 2992-2997. Abstract.  Author URL.
Hoad KA, Monks T (2011). A note on the use of multiple comparison scenario techniques in education and practice. Proceedings - Winter Simulation Conference, 3899-3909. Abstract.
Monks T, Robinson S, Kotiadis K (2009). MODEL REUSE VERSUS MODEL DEVELOPMENT: EFFECTS ON CREDIBILITY AND LEARNING. PROCEEDINGS OF THE 2009 WINTER SIMULATION CONFERENCE (WSC 2009 ), VOL 1-4, 759-770.  Author URL.

Chapters

Pitt M, Monks T, Allen M (2015). Systems modelling for improving health care. In  (Ed) Complex Interventions in Health: an Overview of Research Methods, 312-325.

Conferences

Harper A, Monks T (2023). A Framework to Share Healthcare Simulations on the Web Using Free and Open Source Tools and Python. SW23 the OR Society Simulation Workshop.
Harper A, Pitt M, Monks T (2023). Open-Source Modeling for Orthopedic Elective Capacity Planning using Discrete-Event Simulation. 2023 Winter Simulation Conference (WSC).
Der Zee DJR, Postema F, Monks T, Maas WJ, Lahr MMH, Uyttenboogaart M, Buskens E (2021). Maintaining domain specific simulation modelling frameworks-A case study on modelling hyper acute stroke pathways. Abstract.
Calverley J, Currie C, Stephan B, Higgins M, Monks T (2021). Simulation optimisation for improving the efficiency of a production line. Abstract.
Currie C, Monks T (2021). Tutorial on optimisation via simulation: How to choose the best set up for a system. Abstract.
van der Zee D-J, Postema F, Monks T, Maas W, Lahr M, Uyttenboogaart M, Buskens E (2020). Maintaining Domain Specific Simulation Modelling Frameworks - a Case Study on Modelling Hyper Acute Stroke Pathways. Proceedings of SW20 the OR Society Simulation Workshop.
Calverley J, Currie C, Onggo BS, Monks T, Higgins M (2020). Simulation Optimisation for Improving the Efficiency of a Production Line. Proceedings of SW20 the OR Society Simulation Workshop.
Taylor SJE, Anagnostou A, Monks T, Currie C, Onggo BS, Kunc M, Robinson S (2018). APPLYING THE STRESS GUIDELINES FOR REPRODUCIBILITY IN MODELING & SIMULATION: APPLICATION TO a DISEASE MODELING CASE STUDY.  Author URL.
Taylor SJE, Eldabi T, Monks T, Rabe M, Uhrmacher AM (2018). CRISIS, WHAT CRISIS - DOES REPRODUCIBILITY IN MODELING & SIMULATION REALLY MATTER?.  Author URL.
Currie CSM, Monks T (2018). MODELING DISEASES: PREVENTION, CURE AND MANAGEMENT.  Author URL.
Monks T, Currie CSM (2018). PRACTICAL CONSIDERATIONS IN SELECTING THE BEST SET OF SIMULATED SYSTEMS.  Author URL.
Currie C, Monks T, Penn M (2017). A bootstrap approach to multiple comparison control. Abstract.
Penn ML, Monks T, Kazmierska AA, Alkoheji MRAR (2017). Designing and redeveloping generic models in healthcare. Abstract.
Currie C, Monks T (2017). Introduction to the workshop.
Taylor SJE, Anagnostou A, Fabiyi A, Currie C, Monks T, Barbera R, Becker B (2017). OPEN SCIENCE: APPROACHES AND BENEFITS FOR MODELING & SIMULATION.  Author URL.
Monks T, Currie C, Onggo BS, Kunc M, Robinson S, Taylor SJE (2017). The simulation reproducibility crisis. Can reporting guidelines help?. Abstract.
Monks T, Meskarian R (2017). Using simulation to help hospitals reduce emergency department waiting times: Examples and impact. Abstract.
Monks T, Currie C, Hoad K (2016). Arguments for and against the use of multiple comparison control in stochastic simulation studies. Abstract.
Van Der Zee DJ, Monks T, Lahr MMH, Luijckx GJ, Buskens E (2016). Entering new fields of simulation application - Challenges faced in simulation modelling of stroke systems. Abstract.
Monks T, Currie C (2016). Introduction to the workshop.
Monks T, Pearn K, Allen M (2016). Simulation of stroke care systems. Abstract.
Meskarian R, Penn ML, Monks T, Taylor MA, Klein J, Brailsford SC, Benson PR (2016). Utilisation of health and social care services by the over 65S population. A system dynamics study. Abstract.
Hoad K, Monks T, O'Brien F (2012). Explorative research into current practice of experimentation in discrete event simulation. Abstract.
Monks T, Robinson S, Kotiadis K (2010). Model reuse versus model development: Effects on singleloop learning. Abstract.

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External Engagement and Impact

Awards

  • University of Exeter Impact Award (2013).

Editorial responsibilities

  • Associate Editor. Health Systems
  • Associate Editor. Journal of Simulation

Invited lectures

  • Modeling regional stroke systems: the UK perspective. Keynote given at the CONTRAST meeting (Collaboration for new treatments of acute stroke) University of Groningen, The Netherlands. June 2019
  • Modeling diseases: prevention, cure and management. Tutorial given at the Winter Simulation Conference. Gothenburg, Sweden. Dec 2017.

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Teaching

Teaching responsibilities: (Undergraduate, Postgraduate)

 MSc Health Data Science (2020/21)

Modules

2023/24


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