How many psychiatric beds are needed-and for what?

The current article addresses, from different perspectives, the question of the optimal number of psychiatric hospital beds required. It summarizes reviews of expert opinions and estimates of optimal bed numbers, considers the balance between inpatient care and other institutions and services for people with mental disorders, addresses associated issues such as the length of stay, and outlines the importance of the local context. Furthermore, it presents the different objectives of bed provision and concludes by presenting a way forward, utilizing data on populations, patients, services, and treatments at a local level.