Arch. Gerontol. Geriatr, 4 (1985) 117-124 117 Elsevier AGG 00100 A one-year follow-up of patients discharged from geriatrics and general medical units in Wales Christina R. Victor and Norman J. Vetter Research Team for the Care of the Elderly, University of Wales, College of Medicine, St. David's Hospital Cardiff, Wales, U.K. (Received 5 October 1984; revised version received 11 January 1985; accepted 14 January 1985) Summary A random sample of patients aged 65 yr and over, admitted as emergencies to the specialties of geriatrics and general medicine in Wales were interviewed 3 and 12 mth after discharge using a postal questionnaire. The characteristics of patients, the preparation they received for discharge and the use made of community services were recorded as were mortality, functional capacity and rehabilitation. Overall geriatrics patients were better prepared for discharge, were given a higher level of service provision and had a more favourable outcome than the general medical patients. one-year follow-up; elderly; discharge; geriatrics Introduction Within the British National Health Service there has been extensive debate about the respective roles of geriatrics and general medicine in the care of the acutely ill elderly. Consequently there are various types of geriatrics departments functioning in Britain. In some areas geriatrics functions as a non-acute sub-specialty of general medicine whilst elsewhere it is divided into acute and non-acute components. More recently some districts have abolished geriatrics and moved towards the integration of geriatrics and general medicine by appointing general physicians with an interest in the care of the elderly. Which ever of these models is practised geriatrics is usually distinguished from other medical specialties by its concentration upon the administration and coordina- tion of both medical and social services in the management of the elderly and by the general recognition of the importance of the community in the care and rehabilita- tion of the elderly. Thus a characteristic of ex-geriatrics patients should be that they would be well supported by the various agents of community care after discharge from hospital. It might also be expected that ex-geriatrics patients would be better prepared for discharge from hospital given the emphasis geriatrics places upon the importance of a smooth transfer from hospital to community. 0167-4943/85/$03.30 © 1985 Elsevier Science Publishers B.V. (Biomedical Division)