Abstract
ObjectiveThis paper reviews the decline in numbers in inpatient psychiatric care in Ireland over the past half century.MethodThe relevant policy publications advocating de-institutilisation have been examined. Change has been monitored through successive census reports of the Medico-social Research Board and the Health Research Board.FindingsIreland has moved from having the highest hospitalisation rate of any western country to a position of equality with other comparable countries in the quantum of inpatient care provided. In the public sector virtually no patients remain in 19th century mental hospitals with acute care being provided in general hospital units. Numbers have also decreased in the private sector but to a lesser degree and acute private care is still delivered in stand-alone psychiatric hospitals.
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