From the 1960s, patients were encouraged to take charge of their own care, ideally in the community. No extra beds were provided in psychiatric hospitals from 1973 on, and a push towards community care (outside of hospitals) was introduced. This was intended as a cost saving measure but was also due to the poor reputation of the hospital system. By the 1990s, almost all psychiatric hospitals were shut down, sometimes with the consent of their patients. The government still provided funding, but now through multiple agencies and charities. Patients were either transferred to remaining hospitals, or to residential care or supported accommodation in the community. People with intellectual disabilities moved to new lives in the community with care provided by a range of community agencies.
