Agenda and minutes

Scrutiny Inquiry Panel - Reducing Gambling-Related Harms in Southampton - Thursday, 6th March, 2025 5.30 pm

Venue: Conference Room 3 and 4 - Civic Centre. View directions

Contact: Mark Pirnie  Emily Goodwin

Link: link to meeting

Items
No. Item

13.

Minutes of the Previous Meeting (including matters arising) pdf icon PDF 606 KB

To approve and sign as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 13 February 2025 and to deal with any matters arising, attached.

Minutes:

RESOLVED: that the minutes for the Panel meeting on 13 February 2025 be approved and signed as a correct record.

14.

Tertiary Prevention pdf icon PDF 460 KB

Report of the Scrutiny Manager informing the Panel that, in accordance with the Inquiry Plan, at the fifth meeting of the inquiry the Panel will be considering measures to lessen the impact of gambling-related harms on those already engaging in harmful gambling behaviours and their affected others.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

 

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 3rd 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?