| Characteristic | Group A | Group B | Group C |
| CAP cohort | n = 123 | n = 174 | n = 129 |
| Mean age (years) | 52.6 | 52.1 | 53.1 |
| Male (%) | 56 (49) | 86 (49) | 57 (44) |
| Mean number of comorbid illnesses | 2.9 | 3.2 | 3.4 |
| %CURB65 0–1 (based on 50% random sample) | 88.2 | 87.1 | 86.4 |
| Cellulitis cohort | n = 229 | n = 428 | n = 278 |
| Mean age (years) | 54.0 | 56.9 | 56.2 |
| Male (%) | 141 (62) | 243 (57) | 158 (57) |
| Mean number of comorbid illnesses | 3.2 | 3.1 | 3.2 |
Group A, first seen by a respiratory physician; group B, first seen by a non-respiratory physician; group C, seen on a post-take ward round on a Saturday or Sunday.
CAP, community-acquired pneumonia; CURB-65, new onset confusion, urea >7 mmol/l, respiratory rate ⩾30 breaths/min, systolic blood pressure <90 mm Hg and/or diastolic blood pressure ⩽60 mm Hg and age ⩾65 years.