AbstractA two‐year review of a psychiatric clinic within a geriatric medical day hospital was undertaken to obtain: (a) the prevalence of major depression in that clinic and (b) outcome at 6–12 months postintervention. The clinic provided only consultative service to primary caregivers. Thirty‐seven per cent of the 78 referrals to this clinic, ie 15% of all day hospital attenders, had a DSM‐III diagnosis of major depression; the depressed group had more widows. Outcome of depression at six months and 12 months was better than or comparable to recent reports despite the low‐contact psychiatric involvement. Cognitive scores and severity of depression had no effect on outcome in this group. More setting‐specific prevalence and outcome studies are recommended for a better understanding of depression in