"Patients' safety could be at risk" say UK students (JANE HENLEY/ THE STOCK MARKET)

The BMA and other medical organisations, including the Medical Council on Alcoholism, the Society of Occupational Medicine, and the General Medical Council, published a report in 1998 into the misuse of alcohol and other drugs by doctors. It estimated that as many as one in 15 doctors in the UK suffers from some form of alcohol or drug dependence during their lifetime.

Joseph Footitt, chairman of the conference and a medical student from London, said: "Doctors have a duty to give the best possible care to their patients. If a doctor is under the influence of alcohol or an illegal drug when at work, their performance is likely to be impaired and patient safety put at risk." The medical students hoped that the testing would help restore public confidence in the NHS. "We believe that by introducing random testing of doctors and other healthcare workers, patients will be reassured that their lives are being placed in the safest of hands," said Footitt.

Over 100 medical students attended the seventh annual MSC conference, held at St Andrew's University Medical School in Scotland over the weekend of 24-25 March. Nick Jenkins, chairman of the MSC and a medical student from London, said: "Medical students have made an important state- ment which, if adopted, would inspire patient's confidence in the profession."

The MSC put forward the motion for debate at the BMA's Junior Members Forum held on 1 and 2 April in Bristol, where young doctors from all disciplines of medicine had the opportunity to consider the issue. Christine Mundin of the BMA, who attended the forum said: "The junior doctors agreed with the sentiments of the motion but after a wide debate with many other groups it was decided that random testing would not work. However, the issue may be brought up again in the future."