Question

A 36-year-old man attends your clinic and smells strongly of alcohol. He admits to drinking heavily the previous night. You notice he is about to start a morning operating list as a surgical registrar. What is the most appropriate action?

Accepted Answer

Immediately raise your concern with a senior or responsible officer according to local policy

Answer

Ignore it as it is a one-off and not your responsibility

Answer

Ask him to drink coffee and proceed with his list

Answer

Confront him aggressively in front of the theatre team

Answer

Report him directly to the media to protect patients

Practice question

A 36-year-old man attends your clinic and smells strongly of alcohol. He admits to drinking heavily the previous night. You notice he is about to start a morning operating list as a surgical registrar. What is the most appropriate action?