NICE Urges UK Doctors To Assess Gambling Risks at Check-Ups
United Kingdom (UK) based National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), the government medical authority, has announced new guidance to healthcare professionals that they should ask patients about their gambling activity during doctor’s appointments and health check-ups.
Patient having their blood pressure measured during a health check-up. UK doctors urged to ask patients about their gambling activity during doctor’s appointments.
LISTEN TO THIS ARTICLE:The medical regulatory body believes that doctors should investigate certain conditions that they describe as at-risk groups, including depression, anxiety, PTSD, ADHD, or substance dependence. Healthcare professionals who see patients who display symptoms of these conditions could be asked if they gamble.
NICE says doctors and healthcare professionals can use the industry-recognized Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI) questionnaire to indicate whether the individual needs further support.
Gambling related harm has a devastating impact on those who experience it, and the people close to them. Our useful and usable guideline will help healthcare professionals and others to identify those needing help earlier and ensure they get the treatment and support they need.
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UK Gambling Levy to Fund Clinics for Problem Gamblers
Proposed changes to the current Gambling Act outlined in the White Paper will see a levy on gambling companies which is estimated to raise £100 million each year, and will be used to reduce gambling harms and provide treatment and support for those at risk from problem gambling.
The statement from NICE highlighted there have been 8 treatment centers for problem gamblers since 2019, and an additional 7 clinics opened last year. it is hoped that these clinics can give help and support to around 3,000 vulnerable gamblers annually, and doctors in the region can help by identifying those individuals who are vulnerable.
If all stakeholders in the gambling industry and government bodies in the UK can identify and treat those at risk from problem gambling at an early stage, it will reduce the number of players at risk from gambling-related harm and create a safer gaming environment.
We welcome NICE’s decision as gambling can have a massive impact on people’s lives and the lives of the people that care for them, and as healthcare professionals, we need the right tools to help tackle gambling-related harms.
RELATED TOPICS: Responsible Gambling
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