GPs seeing 5500 cases of drink-related illness a day Sensation Line Fitness

GPs seeing 5500 cases of drink-related illness a day

May 3rd, 2011 Tyson Flood Leave a comment Go to comments

SCOTTISH GP surgeries see around 5500 patients a day with alcohol-related health problems, according to a new study.

GPs and practice nurses spend more than 600 hours every working day talking to patients with illnesses triggered or exacerbated by their drinking habits, according to the research. This equates to around 1.4 million consultations a year, costing the NHS in excess of 28 million.

The latest in a series of shocking insights into Scotlands alcohol problem, the study has been published just days after an unofficial royal wedding party in Kelvingrove Park, Glasgow, ended in a riot, with police chiefs blaming drunken louts.

The British Medical Association Scotland, which conducted the analysis, is calling on all political parties to spend time before the end of the election campaign outlining how they will tackle alcohol misuse in the next Scottish Parliament.

Dr Alan McDevitt, deputy chairman of the BMAs Scottish General Practitioners Committee, said: We wanted to conduct this survey to demonstrate how much of an impact alcohol has on the everyday work of general practice. Those who suffer from alcohol-related health problems are not just alcoholics or heavy binge drinkers. By regularly drinking over and above recommended limits, a significant proportion of the adult population is at risk of experiencing health problems that are linked to the alcohol they consume, whether it is high blood pressure, breast cancer or even domestic abuse.

For the study, BMA Scotland asked a sample of 31 practices to spend a day recording the number of nurse and GP consultations where alcohol contributed to the condition suffered by the patient.

They logged 169 appointments on April 21. Staff reported surgeries were quieter than usual on the day which fell immediately before the Easter weekend so the results may be an underestimate.

Using the data, BMA Scotland staff calculated that 5501 consultations a day are alcohol-related. In one day it has also been shown that 98 people will be admitted to hospital with a problem linked to drink, 23 people will commit a drink-driving offence and five will die because of alcohol.

Dr Bruce Ritson, chairman of campaign group Scottish Health Action on Alcohol Problems, said: The level of harm caused by alcohol in Scotland concerns not only health workers, but other professions, individuals, families and communities.

All will be looking to the next Scottish Parliament for effective action to reduce problem alcohol use. Enforcement of existing legislation is one approach, but politicians need to recognise that most people seen in general practice with an alcohol-related condition have not broken any law. Individually and collectively we are drinking at levels that compromise our health and well-being and, as a society, we need to drink less.

The Royal College of Nursing Scotland also backed the call for Scotlands leading parties to make their policies for tackling alcohol consumption clearer.

Theresa Fyffe, chief executive of RCN Scotland, said: We now need to hear from politicians about what they are going to do to reduce the harmful effects of alcohol. For instance, they could consider investing in more alcohol liaison nurses who provide a whole range of support that ultimately saves the NHS money by reducing re-attendance at A&E and hospital admissions.

Evelyn Gillan, chief executive of Alcohol Focus Scotland, urged politicians to again consider setting a minimum price for alcohol. Opposition parties, including Scottish Labour and Liberal Democrat MSPs, blocked a bid by the SNP to introduce a minimum price last year.

Ms Gillan said: The increase in alcohol consumption is being fuelled by the fact that alcohol is more affordable, more available and more heavily marketed than at any time over the past 30 years. The cheaper it is the more we consume.

Sensation Line Fitness