The reference in our article to compulsory powers being used ‘less frequently’ is not meant to imply that fewer patients are detained under the Mental Health Act 1983 in general adult psychiatric services than in forensic psychiatric services; rather, it is a reference to the fact that 100% of forensic psychiatric patients in secure environments are detained under the Act, whereas a lower proportion of general adult patients are. We have no doubt that the workload of general adult psychiatrists will increase under the proposed new Act, but have not commented on this as the data presented in our paper apply directly only to forensic psychiatric services. We support Dr Zigmond's contentions about the effect of the proposed Act on general psychiatric services, and we look forward to seeing the published correspondence.