What would you do about someone potentially drunk at work in the NHS?

[Minty4556]

My work colleague told me recently that he's having marriage problems, and that his wife has been drinking heavily, to the point of passing out occasionally, and that she's an alcoholic.
He said that she must be over the limit driving to work because she drinks at any time of day.
The thing is, not only is she putting people at risk by driving if she has been drinking, but she is a children's nurse too at the local hospital. He's tried to get help for her, but he said she just continues to do what she's doing. Not sure whether to keep my nose out or do something, but what?

PALs is your first call. You don't need to mention her name initially, but if they don't take it seriously take it straight to the NMC or CQC.

This is all second hand
Urge her husband to report

So why isn’t he doing something? He knows what she is drinking you have only heard it second hand. What if he is just trying to cause trouble for his wife? You could maybe make a call to pals and hope they investigate. Or call the police if you know she is currently driving over the limit ( which I assume you don’t as don’t know when she is driving)

I've told him that he should report her but he won't.

Well then he’s a twat

I've been out on a couple of work do's with couples, and she was paralytic, but obviously I don't know what's going on day to day , and I only have his word for it. I have no idea when she would be driving either.

I agree there.

Hopefully her colleagues will notice if she is drunk at work.

Secondhand information from a partner in a failing relationship.
Pinch of salt!

You presumably know her name and where she works, you may also know where she lives and what car she drives. Make an online report to your local police force or Crimestoppers. A marker can therefore be added to her license plate to stop and breathalyze her.

Could this be the husband just making mischief for her?

I know her name yes, and where she works, but not where they live

Her husband could seek support from Al-Anon, which is for the family & friends of somebody with a suspected alcohol addiction. She is unlikely to seek or sustain recovery, until she hits rock bottom.
The NHS will support her, as alcoholism is regarded as a disease. This means that she can go on paid sick leave and be signposted to services.

Possibly, but I don't think so.

That'd be good for her if she does decide to seek help, my colleague has tried to encourage her to,he said, but she doesn't believe she has a problem apparently.

I wouldn't take his word as gospel that she was drunk at work.
It's a shame their marriage is failing and she seemingly has an illness but it's one she can't really cure without her own desire to do so.

Your colleague if they really are just a colleague, shouldn't really be placing the burden of all this upon you!

I can assure you he's just a colleague only!

If she's drunk at work, I'm pretty sure that the colleagues who work closely with her will notice. Also, people who drink heavily and every day will smell strongly of stale alcohol, even if they shower, they will sweat out the alcohol and smell.

Probably a functioning alcoholic
people think someone with a drink problem spends there life incoherent and rolling around drunk absolutely not
living with an alcoholic is hell so your choice is you ether report her or do nothing you can report her anonymously

Sorry I didn't mean you were shagging! More that you're not close platonic friends. It's a lot to be saying to someone you're not that close to.

Obviously a very close colleague if he’s confiding very personal details like this to you

Please speak to the safeguarding team at the hospital. They can do the necessary risk assessments and support. You could report to police if she is over the limit driving as well. If he is making this up, it will be very easy to identify and will still help her.

Pals and the cqc don't investigate staff, I'd speak to her line manager who can investigate and hopefully offer her support rather than getting her reported. If you believe she's drunk while driving you speak to the police.

I just wouldn't trust this at all

see what's he's done? It's your problem now

It is weird him telling you this at all. Him then refusing to report it himself makes me question his judgement entirely.

I would encourage him to stop telling you stuff about his marriage and also to report it if he is genuinely worried she is pissed at work