Objective: To compare the clinical, demographic, social and service utilization characteristics of elderly Poles with indigenous elders.

Setting: A geriatric psychiatry service in an urban area.

Methods: All newly referred patients to a West London geriatric psychiatry service were studied. The uptake of service and clinical, demographic, social and service utilization characteristics of elderly Poles and indigenous elders were compared after extracting information from case-notes.

Results: Twelve percent of all referrals were of Polish origin. This figure is considerably higher than 4% of all community-dwelling elderly being of Polish origin in Ealing. There were no differences in clinical, demographic, social and service utilization characteristics between Polish and indigenous patients with a few exceptions. Elderly Poles were more likely to be married (p<0.005) and indigenous elders were more likely to be single (p<0.05). Elderly Poles were more likely to be advised to take out power of attorney (p<0.014). Elderly Poles were less fluent in English (p<0.0005).

Conclusions: Newly referred elderly Poles accessed and utilized the geriatric psychiatry service resources and social services at least as equitably as indigenous elders.