One in 15 UK doctors has drink/drug problem -BMA
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One in 15 British doctors has had a problem with alcohol or drugs but the profession is in denial and needs government help, a British Medical Association (BMA) chief said on Monday.
BMA Ethics Committee chairman Michael Wilks told the BBC the government needed to do more to help.
“You’ve got a profession that doesn’t want to face up to the fact that it’s got a problem in the ranks,” Wilks told the BBC Real Story programme which will be aired later on Monday.
“You’ve got levels of denial that make it virtually impossible for an alcoholic doctor to be helped,” he added.
But the BMA said later in a statement the figure of one in 15 included a whole range, from misuse up to dependence that may affect care of patients.
“We do not think the figure is higher than in the general population,” the BMA said. “However, doctors work in very stressful environments in a culture where it is difficult to seek help.”
The BBC programme said doctors were known to be at least three times as likely to have cirrhosis of the liver - a sign of alcohol damage - than the rest of the population.
This was second only to pub owners and bar staff.
The Association said they provided counselling and advice but added that the government could do more to help.
“Doctors respond extremely well to treatment when they have the appropriate services available to them,” it said. “But the government could do more by investing in specially designed services that will meet the distinct needs of doctors.”
NHS Employers, a group that represents NHS staff, said drug and alcohol misuse was a problem but called for support and rehabilitation for doctors rather than punishment.
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