The only previous studies are referred to in Mental Hospitals at Work (Jones, 1962) and it is stated, “In recent years some attempts have been made, though to our knowledge none have been published, to estimate the amount of time which psychiatrists in mental hospitals actually spend in the care of patients”. In our opinion the topic of medical staffing has received little official recognition. Our own assessments are explained in this article with a view to finding some sort of base line and general agreement.