Health chiefs extend alcohol plan

Hundreds of people took part in the pilot scheme

A project to identify and assist people with potential drink problems is to be extended across Dumfries and Galloway.

The pilot scheme - the first of its kind in Scotland - involved GP practices screening patients for alcohol consumption.

About one in five of the 500 people in Annandale and Eskdale who took part was found to be drinking too much.

They were offered advice and a second screening three months later - by which time almost 60% said they had cut back.

Consultant Psychiatrist Dr John Waterhouse, the project's lead clinician, said the results were not just taken at face value.

'Objective back-up'

"You might argue that people could minimise how much they are drinking or lie or be evasive," he said.

"So in addition to asking about how much people drank the GPs also took blood samples for liver function tests.

"Quite a number of those who were drinking more than they should had abnormal liver function tests.

"When they were tested again three months later not only did they say they were drinking less but actually their livers had improved quite considerably as well.

"So that is a good, objective back-up to what people were saying."