GambleAware targets north of England with new problem gambling clinic
New Leeds clinic costing £1m a year announced as part of treatment expansion project
GambleAware has commissioned the development of a new Leeds-based problem gambling clinic in partnership with the Leeds and York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust and GamCare.
The new service, which will cost an estimated £1.2m a year, will be fully funded by GambleAware and aims to create a central hub for the treatment of problem gambling across the north of England.
The NHS Northern gambling clinic will go live with effect from April 2019 and integrate fully with existing NHS resources and Leeds council.
GambleAware CEO Marc Etches welcomed the multi-organisation partnership. “We look forward to developing the new partnership and are grateful for the enthusiasm within Leeds City Council for helping to make this innovative proposal successful,” he said.
Etches said GambleAware would look to build on this partnership, adding: “If our limited charitable resources allow, we would be interested in exploring the establishment of additional clinics elsewhere in Great Britain.”
A similar GambleAware-funded London clinic for problem gambling provides treatment by psychiatrists and clinical psychologists for people who need intensive treatment.
Anna Hemmings, CEO at GamCare, said: “The investment will significantly increase treatment capacity, and will enable us to raise awareness for those at risk as well as developing local education and prevention initiatives.”