This paper considers stress in work with mentally handicapped people in hospital. Staff at Meanwood Park Hospital, were invited to contribute their thoughts on this subject. The significant points to emerge were: the nature of stress; the problems of uncertainty in roles; less structured hospital régimes; increasing expectations but inadequate resources; lack of esteem; difficulties with parents and relatives; interprofessional tensions; and dichotomies in attitudes and philosophies. Sensitivity meetings, more positive decisionmaking, and awareness of over‐commitment are suggested as possible approaches in coping with stress. Questions to be asked about stress in work are propos