NHS 'won't be equipped to deal with alcoholism'

Published on Thursday 30 June 2011 14:35

THE next generation of NHS workers in Scotland are ill-equipped to deal with the country's alcohol problem, according to a new report.

Research has found that many people studying to be doctors and nurses are clueless about what advice to give to drinkers.

Researchers at Edinburgh's Queen Margaret University questioned more than 800 people studying healthcare-related degrees. One-third had no idea what the daily limits of alcohol consumption are for men and women, while a further 25 per cent answered wrongly. Almost half of the students did not feel they were knowledgeable enough to advise drinkers.

Experts said the findings were a blow to government efforts to tackle the country's booze culture, which costs almost 4 billion a year.

In the paper, lead author Dr Jan Gill wrote: "Our study has provided clear evidence of knowledge gaps within this sample of future NHS employees."

The findings were published in the latest edition of the academic journal Alcohol and Alcoholism.

A Scottish Government spokesman said: "We will continue working with our agencies to ensure staff maintain a good understanding of alcohol issues."