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Lack of relevant information has been stated as a major obstacle to the development of better services for persons with serious mental disorders. The information on patients not in contact with the specialist services seems to be particularly incomplete. The objective of this study was to describe a subgroup of psychiatric patients living in a semi-rural municipality in Norway who had no contact with the specialist mental health services. 15 patients below 70 years of age (0.3% of the population at risk) with a diagnosis of schizophrenia from psychiatric hospital, and still on neuroleptic maintenance-treatment prescribed by a primary physician were identified. The authors present the characteristics of this group, with emphasis on their health status, their social network, and the actual treatment and care provided, and discuss the need for clear case-definitions in community surveys of psychiatric disorders. They finally describe the current trend towards new and improved models for cooperation between the primary health care and the specialist services.