The three main styles of geriatric practice in the UK at present are: combined acute and rehabilitation with separate long-stay wards (37.5%), separate acute, rehabilitation and long-stay wards (24.4%) and combined acute, rehabilitation and long-stay wards (21.1%). The first of these has the highest bed/population ratio, the second the highest discharge rate per bed and per population and the third has the highest consultant/bed ratio. There is some relationship between style of practice and geographical characteristics of the area. The numbers of specialist units (ortho-geriatrics etc.) are also described.