GambleAware Publishes New Commissioning Plans for the National Gambling Treatment Service

GambleAware, the leading charity keeping people safe from gambling harms, has published its future commissioning intentions for the National Gambling Treatment Service (NGTS). The new intentions are designed to meet the growing and changing needs of those at risk of gambling harms in Great Britain.

The National Gambling Treatment Service is a network of third sector organisations which provide free, confidential treatment and support for people at risk of, and who experience, gambling harm, as well as those affected by someone else’s gambling.

Following a strategic review process, which involved in-depth engagement with gambling harm treatment providers, lived experience representatives, local authorities and partners in the NHS, a new Outcomes Framework and Delivery Model was developed. This informed the design of a regional first approach across England, Scotland and Wales for the NGTS, which will enable all partners to deliver more targeted support to greater numbers of people in need.

The redesign is an ongoing piece of work and part of GambleAware’s organisational commitment to “improve the coherence, accessibility, diversity, and effectiveness of the National Gambling Treatment Service”, as outlined in its current five-year strategy.

Anna Hargrave, Chief Commissioning Officer at GambleAware, said: “We are excited to announce our new commissioning plans which will build on the success of our current prevention, support and treatment programmes. In the context of rising costs-of-living and increasing numbers of people at risk of gambling harm, we want to ensure our commissioning strategy can respond to the changing environment and the needs of the most vulnerable communities and groups.

“We have built-up a wide pool of expertise and knowledge around gambling harms from years of working with our partners and we will continue to use this insight to improve and inform our work and ensure we are able to make a lasting impact to people’s lives.”