Handover has been identified by the Royal College of Physicians (RCP) as being ‘a preventable cause of harm’1. The risks associated with handover include information not being handed over or misunderstood2 which may lead to serious breakdowns in the continuity of care, inappropriate treatment and potential harm to patients. At 4.30pm Foundation Year (FY) doctors in wards 3, 4 and 33 in Ninewells Hospital Dundee handover deteriorating patients, tasks and patients to be aware of to one FY doctor who then has responsibility for up to 78 patients between 4.30pm until 8.30pm before the Hospital at Night Team begin their shift.
