FOI 26-486 Staff Intoxication Policy
Freedom of Information Request
- Reference
- FOI 26-486 Staff Intoxication Policy
- Request Date
- 17 Oct 2026
- Response Date
- 28 Oct 2026
- Information Requested
Please send me a copy of (or details of where to find) your policy for dealing with staff members who have been identified as a risk of potentially being intoxicated on duty. If you do not have one, any related/overlapping policies would be useful.
In particular I am interested in: 1. Are staff tested by any form of alcohol/drug testing?
- Are they suspended from all or any duties during investigation?
- If so, what is the investigation process, and what are the conditions that allow them to be reinstated?
- What ongoing monitoring or support are they offered?
- What are the consequences of continued intoxication?
- Is there a recognition of the features of "functional" intoxication, and how that differs from acute intoxication?
- Is there a way for the public to report a staff member without being named or identified to the individual?
- Response
The Scottish Ambulance Service adheres to the NHSScotland Once for Scotland Alcohol and Other Substances Policy. This is the applicable workforce policy for managing circumstances where alcohol or substance use may affect an employee's work, safety or wellbeing.
The policy, together with supporting guidance for managers and employees, is publicly available at:
NHSScotland Alcohol and Other Substances Policy
The policy addresses the management of concerns about alcohol or substance misuse, including the identification of concerns, immediate action, drug and alcohol testing, support available to employees and circumstances in which other NHSScotland workforce policies or processes may be appropriate.
The policy confirms that a manager cannot carry out drug or alcohol testing without the employee's consent. Where an employee is believed to be under the influence, the policy requires immediate action, with the safety of employees, colleagues and service users being the priority.
The policy also recognises substance dependency as a health condition and states that affected employees should receive appropriate support.
The policy should therefore be read together with its supporting documents and, where relevant, the NHSScotland Conduct, Capability and Attendance policies
