This report is of a study started in 1976 which was planned to seek the views of patients about their treatment in hospital. The objectives were: to identify deficiencies in communication between patients and the medical and nursing staff and where possible to remedy these; to seek ways of improving the relevant aspects of patient care and encourage staff and students to adopt them. The introduction of behavioural sciences into the medical curriculum and increasing attention to the problems of communication indicate some awareness of the need for changes in relationships with patients. There is a great need for the policy makers, politicians and administrators to hear patients' views.