Alcohol report paves the way for earlier intervention
Eileen Kaner, professor of public health at Newcastle University, has played an integral part in NICE’s new report to the Government concerning people’s drinking habits.
Professor Kaner who is a member of the board of the Alcohol Education and Research Council, chaired the group of experts who made the recommendations.
The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) report says NHS patients should be asked about their drinking habits much more often when they are being treated by their GP or at hospital due to the fact that alcohol causes so many medical problems.
"It should be common medical practice to ask about alcohol where alcohol could be a contributory factor or where patients have a condition where it is likely to be a factor, such as sleep disturbance and hypertension", said Professor Kaner. "Given that alcohol is now the second biggest threat to our wellbeing, there is a strong case for arguing that more doctors should be asking these questions."
Patients identified as drinking too much could be advised to stay alcohol-free for one or two nights a week, or have one or two fewer drinks or eat before they go out drinking.
Professor Kaner added that currently few doctors raise the subject of how much a patient drinks, even though research showed patients do not generally regard such questions as intrusive and are happy to talk if they think it will benefit their health.
NICE also recommendeds that ministers should consider bringing in a minimum price per unit of all alcoholic products, in order to reduce consumption.