The long-term survival of elderly patients following critical illness in the United Kingdom has not previously been studied. The demographic (age, sex, diagnosis, severity of illness) and treatment details (admission type, length of treatment, prior surgery) of all critically ill patients aged over 70 years were recorded. The 1-year survival of such patients was measured and compared with that of a matched normal population. Of 474 patients aged over 70 years, 88 patients died on the intensive care unit (19% mortality) and a further 133 died within 1 year (total mortality 47%). The 1-year survival of patients aged < 85 years was 56% which was significantly better than that of patients over 85 years (27%). The survival of all critically ill elderly patients was significantly poorer than that of a matched normal population (1-year survival 93%). Logistic regression revealed that age, diagnosis and severity of illness are independent predictors of 1-year survival.