Doctors disagree with Sally Davies about alcohol

Not much pick up in the media for this, which is a shame because it looks as if CAMRA have finally done some worthwhile research...

GPs disagree with Chief Medical Officer’s statement that there is no safe level of alcohol consumption

The majority of GPs disagree with the Chief Medical Officer’s statement that there is no safe level of alcohol consumption, according to research undertaken on behalf of CAMRA, the Campaign for Real Ale.

A recent poll conducted by medeConnect showed that 60% of the GPs surveyed disagreed with the statement that there is no safe level of alcohol consumption. It also found that almost two thirds (63%) of GPs considered that moderate alcohol consumption can be part of a healthy lifestyle.

The new alcohol guidance published by the Chief Medical Officer in January breaks with international precedent by providing the same guidelines for men and women; adopting a very low threshold of 14 units per week and stating that there is no safe level of alcohol consumption.

Numerous scientific studies shows that moderate drinking can have a protective effect against numerous health problems including cardiovascular disease, cognitive decline, and certain forms of cancer. However, this is ignored in the new alcohol guidelines.

CAMRA’s National Chairman, Colin Valentine said: “We made the observation when the new guidelines were published that the Chief Medical Officer had ignored evidence which showed that moderate drinking can have a beneficial effect.

“Only recently, we commissioned a report with Oxford University ‘Friends on Tap’ which found that those who had a local pub were happier, healthier, and felt more integrated in their communities than those without.

“Furthermore, research has shown that the mortality rate of moderate drinkers is lower than those who abstain altogether.

“It therefore is no surprise that this survey has illustrated that GPs overwhelmingly believe that a moderate consumption of alcohol can be part of a good and healthy lifestyle.’

“CAMRA are calling on the Department of Health to launch a full public consultation into whether the new alcohol health guidelines are fit for purpose and adequately supported by evidence.”

The details:

This survey was conducted in April 2016.

To what extent do you agree with the following statements?

There is no safe level of alcohol consumption:

Strongly agree

76

8%

Somewhat agree

225

22%

Neither agree nor disagree

97

10%

Somewhat disagree

365

36%

Strongly disagree

239

24%

Don't Know

4

0%

Total

1006

100%

Moderate consumption of alcohol can be part of a healthy lifestyle:

Strongly agree

144

14%

Somewhat agree

490

49%

Neither agree nor disagree

133

13%

Somewhat disagree

159

16%

Strongly disagree

73

7%

Don't Know

7

1%

Total

1006

100%