In late 1981, the DHSS published a study entitled 'Community Care' which examined some important issues in the development of community-based forms of care. The purpose of the study day was to discuss the document and to consider the policy implications for some of the issues it raised. Three themes from the study were selected for detailed examination: the role of the voluntary sector; progress towards developing community based care for one of the "boundary groups" - mentally handicapped people; cost effectiveness and community care.