Analysis of a geriatric day hospital

Analysis of the activity and functions of the Geriatric Day Hospital in the Islington Health District over a 3 1/2-year period suggests that (a) formal medical involvement in assessment of patients referred for treatment at the day hospital and (b) multidisciplinary management are paramount for rehabilitative function of the unit. The other conclusions to be drawn from the study are that the recommended norm for the day hospital places should be near 0.5 place per 1000 over 65 years and that the 'corrected new patient index' developed by Millard (1) is not applicable to in-patients attending the day hospital.