Since its launch in October 2019, the Primary Care Gambling Service (PCGS) has been a new way of helping individuals affected by gambling-related harms.
This GP-led initiative was born out of a pressing need to improve access to treatment for those struggling with gambling harm and to raise awareness among primary care professionals about this often-overlooked issue.
The PCGS has two primary goals. The first is to ensure that individuals facing gambling harm receive timely and practical support. The second, equally important goal is to educate and empower primary care workers. By collaborating with the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP), PCGS has developed a competency framework, a Gambling Harms Hub, and Practice Accreditation and learning modules to improve the knowledge and skills of primary care professionals.
A unique approach to treatment
Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, the PCGS has already treated more than 2100 patients in just five years and is currently averaging 60 new patients each month. Patients are seen quickly, with the time from first contact to detailed assessment being a week, and to treatment, less than 2 weeks. The service is uniquely placed, as the only clinical provider within a network of 20 third-sector organisations, fostering vital shared care partnerships that allow for comprehensive support, from debt advice and residential care to the full range of community-based mental health treatments, including a wide range of talking therapies (individual and group).
Weekly multidisciplinary team meetings and close collaboration with our third-sector partners are crucial to PCGS's operations. They allow staff to discuss cases, monitor patient progress, and share insights. This approach empowers patients and ensures all relevant parties can participate in treatment decisions.
The service also emphasises aftercare planning right from the start, providing patients with a roadmap for ongoing recovery management and reducing the risk of relapse.
The PCGS plans to sustain its momentum by continuing the eLearning programs and accreditation schemes and engaging in community-focused learning sessions. The aim is to ensure that more individuals impacted by gambling harms receive the support they need.
How to get support
The Primary Care Gambling Service is committed to offering free and confidential treatment. Patients can refer themselves or be referred without a referral letter. A holistic assessment supports not only individuals struggling with gambling issues but also those around them who may be affected.
For more information and resources, visit the PCGS website or contact them directly. Together, we can reduce the stigma and increase awareness of gambling's harms, paving the way for healthier futures.
Further information can be found on the following link:
For referrals or more information, you can also contact the PCGS directly:
Telephone: 0300 0300 111
Email: lamccg.admin.pcgs@nhs.net
Dame Clare Gerada, Founder of the Primary Care Gambling Service
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