ABSTRACT
All 'new chronics' (N = 571), defined as patients aged 18-64 years in hospital more than one but less than six years, were identified in 14 psychiatric hospitals serving 56 per cent of the Scottish population. The bed occupancy was 20/100,000 of the general population (range between hospitals 12-29/100,000). First admissions (5.8 beds/100,000) were clearly distinguished from readmissions. Although for the whole group schizophrenia was the most common diagnosis the majority of first admissions had organic brain disease. First admissions were more disabled and most were well placed in hospital. Thirty-eight per cent of all patients did not need inpatient care; 20 per cent could have been accommodated in staffed hostels. Widespread differences, especially in numbers, found between hospitals may have been due in part to different attitudes among staff towards the prospect of patients' discharge.
