Written question WQ88377
- Asked by
- Andrew RT DaviesConservative
- To be answered by
- Minister for Health and Social Services
- Tabled
- Due
- Answered
- Time to answer
- 7 days
Question
Are there any in-person gambling treatment centres in Wales that can be and are accessed by patients through NHS referral and, if so, where are they located?
Answer
Answered by Deputy Minister for Mental Health and Wellbeing
There are currently no in-person NHS gambling treatment centres in Wales. The National Gambling Treatment Service (NGTS) provides specialist treatment for gambling and in-person clinics are available in England, to people from Wales, via self-referral, referral by a health professional or another service. The Addiction Recovery Agency (ARA) is the NGTS service provider for Wales and provides free and confidential advice including one-to-one counselling for people experiencing gambling related harms. Third sector organisations in Wales also provide valuable support and advice in relation to gambling.
In February 2023, Public Health Wales published the Gambling Health Needs Assessment for Wales to review the needs of people experiencing harms from gambling and to inform a public health approach to reducing gambling harm in Wales. This report is available here: https://phw.nhs.wales/news/harmful-gambling-early-education-key-to-addressing-urgent-public-health-issue/gambling-health-needs-assessment-for-wales/. The Welsh Government is currently considering the recommendations of the report, including what is needed to improve referral pathways and treatment services.
Following their review of the Gambling Act 2005, the UK Government published plans to reform gambling regulation in Great Britain. The White Paper includes the intention to introduce a statutory levy on industry with the intention of securing long-term funding for gambling research, education and treatment. Officials are working with those in the UK Government to ensure that the funds are equitable for Wales and can support those affected here.