Geographical variations in the provision of psychiatric services for old people

A survey of all identifiable consultants providing specialized psychiatric services for old people was conducted in 1985/6. Respondents, mostly working more than four sessions per week in old age psychiatry covered 64% of the elderly population of the UK. Major variations were recorded between health regions in the proportion of the elderly population served by our respondents and in the personnel and facilities provided. The national average provision of key facilities and groups of staff is reported and regional variations highlighted.