AbstractThere have been a number of systematic investigations of alternative ways of delivering psychiatric care, a number of studies of so‐called ‘alternatives’ to psychiatric care, and some studies of community care services received after in‐patient care. This paper reviews research evidence which suggests that when general psychiatric services are located in community settings, for example psychiatric out‐patient services in primary care settings, or multidisciplinary teams in a community base, the use of psychiatric beds in hospital can b