Agenda item

Tertiary prevention - Measures to lessen the impact of gambling-related harms on those already engaging in harmful gambling behaviours and their affected others.

There were no presentations. The following invited guests were asked to consider a number of questions with the Inquiry Panel:

• Dr Konstantinos Ioannidis – Lead Clinician and Consultant Psychiatrist, NHS Southern Gambling Service
• Steve Watts – Chief Executive, GamFam
• Helen Coleman – Senior Strategy Manager, NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight
• Tom Sheppard – Associate Director of Communications, NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight
• Bryan Dimmick – Southampton Resident with lived experience
• Kate Harvey – Consultant in Public Health, Southampton City Council

What gambling harm prevention and treatment services are available for Southampton residents?

• Appended to the meeting papers was an extract from the Gambling Harms Needs Assessment that identified the range of treatment and support services available for Southampton residents experiencing gambling-related harms and their affected others.
• It was recognised that the range of services was fairly comprehensive and that the city was fortunate to host the NHS Southern Gambling Service (SGS). NHS Southern Gambling Services had a good relationship with GamFam who provided peer support to many SGS clients.
• The loss to the city of one to one counselling support for gambling related harm that was provided by Options, as a GamCare partner until 2021, was noted, as was the pilot scheme delivered by PSL offering support to people suffering gambling related harm from someone else’s harmful gambling, that was often linked with co-occurring substance use problems, especially alcohol and drugs.

Are there gaps in provision?

• The lack of a lead 3^rd sector gambling support organisation in the Solent area was raised. GamFam and Betknowmore UK, at the December 2024 meeting, have both expressed a willingness to provide this role.
• It was recognised that capacity to treat and support residents impacted by gambling harms would be stretched if the level of unmet need decreased. NHS Southern Gambling Service is currently accepting 480 referrals a year (it is funded for 350).  It can manage this workload, waiting lists are limited and demand is stable.
• Potential need for specialist provision reflecting the diversity of Southampton’s population.

Which services are most effective? How are these services used by different groups?

• It was recognised that the diverse range of support and treatment services available provided choice to those requiring support.  Some prefer face to face, some online etc.  The more choice the greater the likelihood that there will be a service that meets an individual’s needs.
• The entire network of support and treatment services is important.  SGS cannot address gambling issues in Southampton acting alone.  It requires a co-ordinated range of support and specialist treatment services to provide the level and type of support required by those impacted by gambling-related harms.

What is limiting Southampton residents with gambling harms accessing the treatment and support services that are available?

• Nationally it is reported that only 1 in 200 people experiencing gambling harms who would benefit from help are currently accessing treatment.
• Stigma was recognised as a significant barrier to accessing support. Gambling harms awareness needs to be delivered to reduce stigma. Opportunity for the NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight communications to be utilised to help breakdown the barriers and associated shame and guilt.
• Greater awareness of the support and treatment that is available would be advantageous.

Is there scope to rationalise and improve patient pathways? (Provide clarity about referral pathways to gambling treatment and effective links with wider services)

• Yes. Greater clarity of referral pathways and effective links with wider services, such as mental health and substance misuse services, would help those impacted by gambling harms and those wanting to refer people to support and treatment.

How can the new statutory levy and NICE guidelines be utilised to support better treatment and referral pathways in Southampton?

• If the NICE guidelines are followed by NHS, Criminal Justice and Social Care practitioners it should result in more brief interventions and timely referrals to support and treatment services, improved co-ordination, and more consistent treatment standards.  This must be encouraged.
• NHS England have been tasked with utilising the funding from the Statutory Levy, (50% dedicated for support and treatment services), to commission the full treatment pathway, from referral and triage through to aftercare, hopefully with NICE guidelines in mind.  It is likely that NHS England will devolve some responsibilities to NHS Hampshire & IOW to develop a referral pathway that works for our area. There is an opportunity for Southampton to pilot a local approach that meets the needs of our communities.
• Providers have identified the need for sustainable funding for support and treatment services.

Other issues raised

• The importance of self-exclusion measures and a wish for there to be a one-stop solution to blocking access to gambling outlets and advertising.
• The role played by banks in blocking access to funds.
• The importance of lived experience in developing an appropriate referral pathway and network of support and treatment services.
• The importance of local leadership at place level to ensure that appropriate policies, training and networks are in place to take advantage of the opportunities presented through the levy and the review of referral pathways.