In a sample of patients with drug overdoses in Nottingham (1976) 10% were neither admitted nor seen by a psychiatrist. Of the patients who were admitted for pschiatric evaluation, 31% were not referred to further treatment, while the default rate of those who were referred to a pschiatric outpatient clinic was 43%. As recommendations of the hill committee are not implemented, it is suggested that they be re-examined & indication for & value of pschiatric intervention should be determined.