Aims: To find out what other acute ward in-patient staff think about the role and activity of the Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU).

Method: A semi-structured questionnaire administered to a selected group of in-patient staff.

Results: Respondents were generally pleased with the PICU. Their views about its role were similar to those of the Department of Health. Many staff were significantly anxious about the possibility of having to work or attend an incident on the PICU.

Conclusions: Acute ward staff have realistic views on the role of a PICU. Many staff view the PICU as different to the rest of the in-patient unit and want to have as little to do with it as possible. This could cause serious problems for the safe running of the PICU and needs to be addressed both by the hospital managers and the PICU staff.