As doctors, especially in hospitals, have moved away from working excessive hours, in-patients may be seen by a succession of doctors, employed as shift workers. This change in practice from ‘firms’ to team-working brings with it risks of information being lost or planned treatment not taking place as there may be no doctor immediately available with full knowledge of the patient's progress. To avoid such risk, formal handover procedures are adopted at each shift change, often with a specified proforma document being completed by the doctor going off duty for the benefit of his or her successor.