One in 20 NHS doctors are dependent on alcohol, survey finds

Thousands of doctors are turning to alcohol amid the unprecedented pressure that is buckling the NHS, research suggests.

Scientists who quizzed hundreds of consultants found around one in 20, or five per cent, would be classified as dependent on alcohol.

Almost one in ten, or eight per cent, displayed clear signs of a binge-eating disorder - a common way to combat emotional distress.

The study comes amid an NHS crisis, with a record 4.23million-long waiting list for routine hospital treatment spiral to record levels. 

Scientists who quizzed hundreds of consultants found around one in 20, or five per cent, would be classified as dependent on alcohol

Scientists who quizzed hundreds of consultants found around one in 20, or five per cent, would be classified as dependent on alcohol

A&E waits of four hours or more have plummeted to some of the lowest ever levels, and patients are having to wait weeks to see their GP.

Experts say the pressure is being fuelled by an ageing population battling multiple conditions and a shortage of staff and funding. 

Around 420 doctors were quizzed by researchers at Birkbeck, University of London and University College London.

Almost half were consultants - senior doctors who have completed training, while the rest were either GPs or junior doctors.

The doctors who were surveyed in the study, of which the results were published in BMJ Open, had an average age of 47.

Slightly more than half (53 per cent) confessed to drinking at least twice a week.

NHS GP SHORTAGE IS A 'DESPERATE SITUATION'

Official figures showed in February that 41 per cent of GPs – around 10,000 doctors – are 50 or over and are expected to quit within the next five to ten years. 

And 2.5 million patients are at risk of their local GP surgery closing because so many are relying on doctors who are close to retirement, it was last week revealed. 

At the same time, fewer young doctors are choosing to specialise as GPs and are opting for other career paths as surgeons or specialists. 

Many GPs are retiring in their 50s, moving abroad or leaving to work in the private sector, increasing the pressure on those who still work in the sector. 

Appointment waiting times are getting longer and more people are going to A&E for minor illnesses because they can't see a doctor. 

Despite an NHS a plan to recruit 5,000 extra GPs by 2021, numbers of family

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