Chronically ill day patients were followed up 3 years after identification in the catchment areas of 13 psychiatric hospitals serving 54% of the Scottish population. Five per cent had died, 6% were in-patients, 56% remained day patients and 14% were supported by community psychiatric nurses or attended an out-patient clinic; contact had been lost with 19%. Over 3 years, 32% had had at least one admission to in-patient care; a wide range of other services was also used. There was little change in the level of disability; a typical patient in contact at follow-up was single, schizophrenic, and rather disabled.