Written question asked by Andrew Rosindell (Conservative) on Tuesday, 14 June 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 16 June 2005. It was answered by Liam Byrne (Labour) on Monday, 27 June 2005 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Medical Staff

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps the Government are taking to ensure (a) doctors and (b) dentists are not intoxicated while at work; and what procedure is followed if a doctor or dentist is found to be intoxicated while on duty.

Answer: Every national health service employer has a code of conduct or staff rules, which sets out acceptable standards of conduct and behaviour expected of all its employees. Breaches of these rules are considered to be misconduct. Misconduct can cover a wide range of behaviour and be classified in a number of ways.The Department issued guidance, ““Taking alcohol and other drugs out of the NHS workplace”” in February 2001. Earlier this year the guidance was re-issued as part of the ““Management of Health, Safety and Welfare Issues for NHS Staff”” by NHS Employers, who provide support to employers.The guidance recommends that staff who are identified as having a problem, either through self-referral or management action, and who are willing to undertake treatment, should be rehabilitated. The cost of retaining them as useful employees and utilising their knowledge far outweighs the costs of losing them from the NHS.NHS employers should have policies and support in place to address any problems of drugs and alcohol use among staff. The findings of the recent NHS staff survey report showed 80 per cent. of staff having access to counselling services.

Secondary information