General practitioners' and practice nurses' knowledge of how much patients should and do drink

Despite evidence linking high levels of alcohol consumption to ill health, the number of people drinking above the 'sensible' limits is increasing. Clinicians in primary care can influence this trend by appropriate screening and advice. To do this they need to know the recommended sensible limits and also be able to translate commonly reported drinking levels into units of alcohol. A postal survey of 499 general practitioners and 343 practice nurses in Cornwall and South West Devon asked responders to calculate the number of units of alcohol contained in six different drinks and also state what they thought were the current sensible levels of consumption. The response rate was 63%. Less than 40% of responders were able to assess the units of alcohol in five out of the six drinks to within 10%. Over 70% of responders were unable to determine the alcohol content of all six drinks to within 30%. Forty-four per cent of responders now recommend an increased safe level of consumption at 28 units per week for men and 21 units per week for women, against the advice of the Royal Colleges and the BMA but in line with the levels suggested by the Government.