Consultants workload due to alcohol related conditions in acute medical receiving gastroenterology and endocrinology

A four-week survey was performed into the incidence of alcohol related prob lems in the acute medical receiving unit, and the prevalence of alcohol rel ated cases in a ward shared between two gastroenterologists and an endocrin ologist. Alcohol related conditions were the commonest reason for acute adm ission (19%). Gastroenterologists, in contrast to their colleagues have a s ubstantial workload related to alcohol, especially chronic liver disease. T hese patients have longer lengths of stay with higher morbidity and mortali ty than those without alcohol related conditions. The reason for these diff erences and the implications for service planning are discussed.