Abstract

In a survey of the modes of referral and disposal of “acute patients” to a general medical unit during the period 1 February 1968 to 31 July 1970 only 1,432 out of 3,455 were referred by general practitioners. There was a high incidence of self-referral to hospital, and this trend was on the increase. A large percentage of self-referred patients came from their homes, and 65-77% of these arrived by ambulance ordered by themselves.