The criteria for inclusion in the study were met by 1891 patients. Of these, 188 (9.9 per cent) were referred by a general practitioner (GP). A total of 1472 patients attended the Minor Injury Units without referral from a GP, of whom 28 [1.9 per cent; 95 per cent confidence interval (CI) 1.2-2.6 per cent] were referred for further assessment and care to a general hospital. Whereas 71 (29.5 per cent; 95 per cent CI 23.7-35