'Dissolution of the mental hospital': fifteen years on.

The pattern of decline of a mental hospital population over fifteen years is described. Continuing problems are commented on, particularly the presence of 'old' long-stay patients and the accumulation of 'new chronic patients'. The number of beds required for each of these categories is estimated. The dissolution of the mental hospital service by degradation is deplored, and a suggestion is made that some of the good points of the old service might be salvaged before it is too late.