A healthy ticker... or a good heart

The amount of paperwork requiring completion by NHS professionals has increased over the years. Some employees feel that is driving them away from client care. In this article, one midwife tots up a week's worth of what she describes as 'box-ticking', and asks: what is the effect of this quantifying trend on the quality of care provided for women and families? Does a mark on a page provide a real representation of the interactions that have taken place? Whilst acknowledging that good documentation is an essential part of care, she questions its domination as a reflection of a job well done.