Eighteen per cent of 203 departments responding to a questionnaire felt they had sufficient staff, and this group had, on average, significantly more therapists than those who felt that they had insufficient staff. Treatment was mainly concentrated on individual therapy though, in some units, excessive time was spent on administration and travelling. Very little therapy time was spent on diversional activities but this was one area, along with treating more patients and increasing pre-discharge home visits, which they would like to develop if more staff were available. Little additional time would be spent in research, teaching or community therapy.