Objective-To examine the use of accident and emergency (A&E) services by the homeless, with particular reference to the use of psychiatric services generated by this attendance. Methods-A retrospective study ofattendance registers at a large A&E department over an eight year period, during which there were 566 separate attendances by homeless patients out of a total of 421 237 adult attendances (1.3 per 1000). Results-There was no significant change in rates of attendances over the eight year period (P = 0.41), in the broad demographic details of the groups, or in the use of psychiatric services. Conclusions-There has been no significant increase in the use ofA&E services by homeless people in the population studied over the eight year period. Several possible explanations for this are given.(T Accid Emerg Med 1996;13:334-336)

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