A total of 123 patients with subarachnoid haemorrhage were admitted to the Department of Neurosurgery, Haukeland Hospital, during the years 1990-93. In 16 patients, there was a delay from the first haemorrhage until diagnosis and treatment. In eight patients, the delay was caused by incorrect medical diagnosis, while two patients did not seek medical attention immediately after onset of symptoms. In the remaining six patients, the delay was caused by both patient and physician. In all but one patient, the first symptom was an unusually severe acute headache which in some cases was accompanied by nausea and vomiting, in others not. Altogether nine patients suffered renewed bleeding, and three patients died. Three patients showed neurological impairment postoperatively. The article deals with the importance of early diagnosis in patients with subarachnoid bleeding, and suggests how these patients should be handled by their primary doctors and at the hospitals to which they are referred.