In a collaborative effort to combat the growing issue of gambling harms in England, NHS England and GambleAware have expressed their support for the introduction of a compulsory levy on gambling operators. This move, as outlined in the Gambling White Paper released in April, aims to replace the voluntary levy system and ensure adequate funding for projects and services related to gambling addiction. The statements from Henrietta Bowden-Jones, the National Clinical Advisor on Gambling Harms for NHS England, and Zoë Osmond, CEO of GambleAware, highlight the significance of this statutory levy in addressing the problem of gambling addiction.
Addressing the Independence of Funding:
Henrietta Bowden-Jones emphasizes the potential of the statutory levy to establish independent funding for treatment, research programs, and prevention initiatives aimed at tackling gambling harms. By implementing the statutory levy without delay, comprehensive treatment pathways can be established, reducing the burden on the NHS as the sole provider of gambling addiction treatment. The objective is to foster collaboration with non-statutory gambling treatment providers across the country, ensuring a holistic and integrated approach to addressing gambling-related issues.
NHS and GambleAware Partnership:
GambleAware, a national independent charity dedicated to preventing, supporting, and treating harmful gambling, has a pivotal role in collaborating with the NHS. With a team comprising prominent NHS figures, the charity emphasizes the importance of partnerships within the healthcare sector. As a strategic commissioner, GambleAware actively works with the NHS to ensure seamless access to necessary services through initiatives such as the National Gambling Support Network. This close cooperation reflects the constructive relationship between GambleAware and NHS England in combating gambling harms.
Insights from the NHS Health Survey:
The official NHS Health survey released in May shed light on the prevalence of problem gambling in England. This data underscores the urgency of addressing gambling addiction and highlights the significance of the proposed statutory levy. By channeling funding into prevention, support, and treatment services, the introduction of the statutory levy aims to curb the rising rates of problem gambling, ultimately protecting individuals and communities from the detrimental effects of gambling-related harms.
The collaboration between NHS England and GambleAware marks a crucial step in addressing the issue of gambling addiction in England. The proposed shift from a voluntary levy to a statutory levy demonstrates a commitment to independent funding for treatment, research, and prevention programs. By fostering partnerships and leveraging the expertise of non-statutory treatment providers, the NHS aims to establish comprehensive and integrated treatment pathways. The NHS Health survey highlights the pressing need for action and emphasizes the importance of the proposed statutory levy in curbing the prevalence of problem gambling. Through joint efforts, NHS England and GambleAware strive to ensure that individuals affected by gambling harms can access the necessary support and services they need.