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World News Doctors are addicted to 'every drug under the sun'
| Doctors are addicted to 'every drug under the sun' |
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| Friday, 29 January 2010 00:00 |
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In its first year the clinic has treated NHS staff hooked on drugs including heroin, ketamine, a horse tranquilliser, and methadrone, a drug linked to amphetamines, said Dr Clare Gerada, medical director of the Practitioner Health Programme.
The service also uncovered six cases of undiagnosed psychosis, in which sufferers see things or hear voices. The clinic was set up amid fears many health professionals were treating themselves or avoiding their local GP or hospital because of worries colleagues could learn of their health problems. Overall, two of the doctors and dentists treated were reported to to the General Medical Council (GMC), because of fears that they could be putting patients in danger.
Another six were encouraged to report themselves to the regulator.
So far the service has operated only in London but there are plans to roll it out across the country, starting initially in Newcastle. Two thirds of the 184 treated in the first 12 months had mental health problems, while one in three who came to the specialist service had some form of addiction. Of these 51 were alcoholics and 16 drug addicts. Dr Gerada said: "We are seeing every drug under the sun. "Ketamine, methadrone, amphetamines, heroin, every drug you have ever heard of is coming through the door." ... Source: Telegraph |
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