New integrated gambling support services to launch in Leeds
News on 18 Sep 2019
News on 18 Sep 2019
A new, fully integrated support service for people with gambling problems is launching in Leeds.
The Leeds Community Gambling Service is the first gambling support service of its kind and involves an ambitious collaboration between leading gambling support charity GamCare, Leeds and York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (LYPFT) and Leeds City Council.
The new integrated service in Leeds is being funded by national charity GambleAware and will form part of the wider NHS Northern Gambling Service funded by NHS England.
The NHS Northern Gambling Service will provide care for those with severe addictions and provide treatment and support for people with additional and complex mental health conditions, impaired social functioning, and those who may present with more risk – such as a risk of suicide. Services will also support family and friends who have been impacted by gambling harms.
In Leeds, local residents will benefit from additional prevention, education and treatment for gambling harm provided by GamCare. They will deliver training, outreach and prevention work across the Leeds area to ensure that other local services are aware of how gambling problems may impact their clients, as well as how they can seamlessly refer into dedicated support services. Training will also benefit local primary care and local authority staff in identifying people in need of help and support at all stages – be it before entering treatment, during or after.
GamCare and LYPFT have taken a unified approach to make sure people across the whole spectrum of need are able to access the necessary help and support quickly and easily. The variety of services available will also provide organisations with much- needed insight to help continuously improve treatment for gambling problems elsewhere across the UK.
