Nurses working in GP practices are ideally placed to identify patients with alcohol problems, it has been claimed.

According to Linda Latham, an advanced nurse practitioner working in a medical practice in Dublin, the abuse of alcohol in Irish society continues to be a major problem, resulting in 'financial, physical and emotional distress for communities, families and individuals'.

Since GPs are often the first port of call for health problems, they are in a unique position to spot and offer help with alcohol-related problems. However, according to Ms Latham, ‘it is important to remember that it is also practice nurses who have historically been identified internationally as central to the delivery of primary care services'.

Currently in Ireland, practice nurses provide assessment, screening, treatment, care and education to patients of all ages.

Ms Latham insisted that practice nurses ‘can incorporate assessment and screening for alcohol abuse into everyday practice thus flagging the problems early'.

While acknowledging that the management of alcohol-related problems is a complex and multifaceted task, she emphasised that practice nurses are ‘ideally placed to identify the signs of harmful consumption, which impacts all areas of health'.

"Practice nurses can ask, assess, assist and arrange services understanding the needs and expectations of patients who are addicted to alcohol," she said.

Ms Latham made her comments in WIN, the Journal of the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation.