title: Ask the experts.
abstract: I am a newly qualified D grade working on an acute hospital ward with one other nurse and a ward sister. We think the sister has a drink problem she comes in smelling of drink. She sucks mints and uses perfume, so I don't think the patients have noticed. We are worried that patients might be compromised by her drinking, but as we have no real evidence we wonder if something has to happen before we can tell anyone. I am worried about repercussions should my complaint be unfounded.