Inpatient psychiatry: why do we need it?

The author makes the case for the necessity of inpatient psychiatric services in a comprehensive, community based, system of care. The editorial begins with an historical perspective on mental hospitals. It then discusses acute and intermediate psychiatric inpatient units. A section also covers forensic units, also indispensable for a region or population of any size. The editorial concludes with a call for recognizing the purpose and value of inpatient services and thus using them most effectively.