A one-year follow-up of patients discharged from geriatrics and general medical units in Wales.

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.