NHS England announces seven new gambling clinics
Latest data suggests up to 3,000 patients a year suffering from gambling-related harm to be treated across 15 clinics
The NHS is opening seven new gambling clinics across England in an attempt to help with the growing demand of people suffering from gambling-related harm.
Soon-to-be opened clinics in Milton Keynes, Thurrock, Bristol, Derby, Liverpool, Blackpool and Sheffield will add to the eight already open in London, Leeds, Newcastle, Manchester, Southampton, Stoke-on-Trent and Telford, alongside an additional national clinic in London.
Figures published by the NHS claim that around 1,400 patients sought help with their gambling in 2022, up by more than a third from 2021, and an increase of four-fifths from 2020.
The NHS has said it anticipates treating up to 3,000 patients a year across all 15 clinics.
In a statement released with the confirmation, NHS CEO Amanda Pritchard highlighted the NHS’s adaptation to new healthcare needs which have emerged over its 75-year lifespan.
“In 1948 when the NHS was founded, you had to go to a bookies to place a bet, but now people can gamble on their phone at the touch of a button and everyone, young and old, is bombarded with adverts encouraging them to take part,” Pritchard said.
“Record numbers of people are coming to the NHS for help to treat their gambling addiction, a cruel disease which has the power to destroy people’s lives, with referrals up by more than a third compared to last year.
“As it has done since 1948, the NHS is responding at speed and rolling out seven new gambling-harms clinics across England, so that even more people can be supported by the NHS in their time of need,” she added.
The Gambling Commission estimates that 138,000 people could be problem gamblers and that an additional 1.3 million people could potentially be engaging in moderate or low-risk gambling.
Individuals with serious gambling addiction issues will now gain access to treatments including cognitive behavioural therapy, family therapy and support groups, as well as being provided with aftercare.
Psychologists, therapists, psychiatrists, mental health nurses and peer support workers will also offer additional support to patients’ family members, partners and carers.