Objective:To analyse the demographic characteristics and outcomes of patients with rupture of an intracranial aneurysm ‐ to make a comparison with other published results, and to determine whether improvements in management can be made.Design:A retrospective review of the records of a consecutive series of 102 patients admitted to a neurosurgical unit in 1988 and 1989.Setting:The Royal Brisbane Hospital neurosurgical unit.Patients:Sixty‐three women and 39 men with subarachnoid haemorrhage after rupture of an intracranial aneurysm.Main results:Sixty‐three patients achieved independence and 32 died. Of those 78 patients who were able to be offered surgery,60 (77%) became independent. The outcome was significantly influenced by the neurological condition of the patient on lid mission to hospital (P<0.01).Conclusion:A speedier referral of these patients to a neurosurgical unit may lead to an improvement in outcome.