The run-down and closure of psychiatric hospitals can be stressful for both staff and patients. Interviews with approximately 50% of over 100 long-stay psychiatric patients during an 18 month period preceeding a hospital closure show them to be generally ill-informed as to reasons for closure and future plans for their care. However, repeat measures of behavioural functioning (CAPE and REHAB) during this running-down period show no significant changes in patients' behaviour.