Must Read GPs Encouraged to Identify Potential Gambling Addicts

[Webzcas]

An article on the BBC News site this morning states that GPs and healthcare professionals in England are being urged to identify potential gambling addiction in the same way they screen for alcohol and smoking dependency, as outlined in new guidance.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), in its first set of recommendations on gambling, advises healthcare workers to look for "gambling-related harms," which may affect health, finances, and the well-being of those around the patient, including family and the wider community.

A 2023 survey involving 20,000 adults revealed that 2.5% of respondents had a gambling problem, with young men being the group most vulnerable to addiction.

NICE suggests that addressing gambling issues in a comfortable environment or alongside a trusted individual could help reduce the stigma and shame associated with gambling addiction.

Mental health and social service professionals are also encouraged to ask about gambling, particularly when dealing with individuals who suffer from depression, anxiety, past addictions, self-harm, or suicidal thoughts.

Additionally, those at higher risk may have coexisting diagnoses, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), personality disorder, or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Certain medications that increase impulsivity and challenging home environments are also highlighted as risk factors.

National clinical director for primary care, Dr. Claire Fuller, welcomed the recommendations, stating:

"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."

Since 2019, NHS England has opened 15 gambling clinics, most of which were launched last year. These clinics aim to treat approximately 3,000 individuals annually, offering access to psychologists, psychiatrists, and support for family and friends.

 

[goatwack]

Yes, because GPs and the Health service isn't stretched enough already - now they have to determine whether an individual's mental wellbeing is related to Starburst and Gonzo's Quest

From the NHS' standpoint, they may be fairly well-funded, but its Mental Health services are usually the ones to bear the brunt of cutbacks, with some rather lopsided help, ranging from 'good' to 'outright terrible', before mentioning the six-month-plus wait to even get a placement.

Good optics, but a much ado about nothing I'm afraid

 

[L&L-Jan]

all solicitors too, they know most of them

 

[geordiecolin]

The last time I checked Dotors where top of the list when it came to addiction to alchohol and I wouldn't be surprised to learn that other addictions have been suppressed so they would be just as likely to talk about the curse of the D on Bonanza than shop you to the gambling police

 

[goatwack]

I'd imagine a lot of ties in to the general oversight they'd like to have, relating to Affordability and SoW too.

GPs aren't specialists, so what odds of misdiagnoses aplenty, as the individuals partake in 'group activities' and have themselves earmarked to have their finances scrutinized further? This ties in with the meddling nannyfication and overreach, with their penchant to control people's financial autonomy, without getting too WEF/ NWO/ Archons up in here

Problem Gambling help services already exist, so this outlet creates more problems than it claims to solve, as GPs will no doubt receive boons and gold stars for their referrals, leaving patients none the wiser.

Still, the check-box will get a nice " ✔ ", so that's alright

 

[Guntis]

Imagine you go to your GP with a chronic runny nose and they diagnose you as a gambling addict

 

[conker]

Perhaps when you walk into the GP and type in your date of birth and postcode of whatever to confirm your appointment, they could have a window pop up with a Bonanza bonus round in it.

If you stop and play and start rubbing the screen and muttering under your breath that you never get any features in the bonus then you are packed off to Gamcare with a note from the doc.

 

[Guntis]

 

[mulven]

View attachment 205200

Careful Degsy will attack you for using AI (only joking)

 

[mulven]

Perhaps when you walk into the GP and type in your date of birth and postcode of whatever to confirm your appointment, they could have a window pop up with a Bonanza bonus round in it.

If you stop and play and start rubbing the screen and muttering under your breath that you never get any features in the bonus then you are packed off to Gamcare with a note from the doc.

If it was a pragmatic game sound you could call it the Praglovian response

 

[Guntis]

Careful Degsy will attack you for using AI (only joking)

It's not AI, i drew it myself.

 

[steveh35]

Having worked in a GP practice there are two sides to this, most GP's won't be bothered with the paperwork involved, on the other hand offer a GP some money to do and they will name any patient to get to the required numbers to claim any financial benefit.

So in all honesty it depends on your GP practice and how much they love money.

 

[conker]

Surely the bank would be better placed to determine addiction, rather than the GP.

Mind you, seeing some of the cases on the forum where banks are letting tens of thousands leave peoples account with no questions asked, maybe not...

 

[geordiecolin]

"Here is a prescription Mr Geordie for a list of reputable casinos that we are affiliated with. Sign up within 3 days and take advantage of my 100% bonus. Good day"

Tough love

 

[dunover]

Not just GPs!!

My postman rang today and asked if I was spending too much time gambling and would I like a leaflet.

Then I noticed a gamcare sticker on my wheelie bin.

Ordered a Dominos and then noticed a warning note inside the pizza promo leaflet on top of the box.

Filled the car up and then went to the ATM which had begambleaware spiel on the screen when in idle mode before my card went in.

 

[mulven]

Not just GPs!!

My postman rang today and asked if I was spending too much time gambling and would I like a leaflet.

Then I noticed a gamcare sticker on my wheelie bin.

Ordered a Dominos and then noticed a warning note inside the pizza promo leaflet on top of the box.

Filled the car up and then went to the ATM which had begambleaware spiel on the screen when in idle mode before my card went in.

If you get three pepperoni slices in a row on your pizza you win a free pizza.

 

[geordiecolin]

If you get three pepperoni slices in a row on your pizza you win a free pizza.

Get pineapple on your pizza you get banned.

 

[mulven]

Get pineapple on your pizza you get banned.

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[geordiecolin]

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I had to fight my way past some anti Trump.support fact checker sites bollix in order to read that an order for ham and pinapple pizza is out of order.
Fukcing out of order!

 

[mulven]

I had to fight my way past some anti Trump.support fact checker sites bollix in order to read that an order for ham and pinapple pizza is out of order.
Fukcing out of order!

what happened? I use an ad-blocker so might have missed it, didnt see any trump stuff inbetween the article.

 

[geordiecolin]

what happened? I use an ad-blocker so might have missed it, didnt see any trump stuff inbetween the article.

I have a newish computer and because of my laziness and lack of security issues with it I have been relying on the in build security supplied with it.
Its seems like it is just a reaction to the likes of Bookface's dropping fact checkers and their reasoning for doing so which impacts their own version?
Maybe we should have a fact checker website dedicated to doctors?