Written question asked by Keith Vaz (Labour) on Thursday, 16 June 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 20 June 2005. It was answered by Liam Byrne (Labour) on Monday, 27 June 2005 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Hospital Workers (Drug Dependency)

Question: (2) whether the Government plan to increase the support available to hospital workers who become addicted to drugs.

Answer: 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, which provides 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 national health service.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 80 per cent. of staff having access to counselling services.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 6213; 435 c1364-5W;435 c1365W
Session: 2005-06
Related items: Hospital Workers (Drug Dependency)
Monday, 27 June 2005
Written questions
House of Commons
Subjects: Drugs Misuse