It was the aim of this study to develop a comprehensive understanding of acute inpatient mental health care. More specifically, the research questions focused on exploring how participants spoke about their experience of inpatient care and what opportunities there were to discuss and plan for discharge. It was also the aim of this study to examine multiple-perspectives (i.e. service users' carers' and professionals' perspectives) and consult service users with at least one previous experience of admission. Thematic analysis of the data was conducted, informed by ideas from discursive psychology. The recruitment of participants was partly determined by service users. Three service users were recruited, each of whom nominated a carer and professional to participate. A total of nine participants were recruited (three service users, three carers and three professionals). Each participant was interviewed separately, about their experiences of the acute inpatient mental health system. The interviews took place shortly after the discharge date. The results of this research, question the extent to which acute inpatient mental health services can deliver an adequate standard of care. In particular, this study highlighted how the hospital environment added to rather than alleviated service users' lack of clarity and their confusion following admission. The results also suggested that limited opportunities existed for service users to comfortably discuss their lack of understanding and ask questions. This study questioned to what extent the inpatient setting facilitated a genuine consultation of multiple perspectives, highlighting how decisions were often made about, but not with service users and significant others. Finally, the results of the analysis indicated that hospital was experienced as a chaotic, potentially violent, prison like environment in which therapeutic activities were limited and did not necessarily reflect service users' personal interests. The implications for research and practice were discussed.