The emergency evacuation of a geriatrics hospital in Toxteth

The evacuation of a 102-bed geriatrics hospital in the middle of the night and from the centre of a riot in Toxteth, Liverpool, is described, together with its effect on the patients involved. No increase in the mortality rate occurred during the six weeks following the evacuation, but a significant increase in morbidity was found. Specific recommendations are made for action to be taken should other city centre geriatrics hospitals need to be evacuated in similar circumstances.