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| Gambling addiction clinic to help addicts aged 13 to 25 | Gambling addiction clinic to help addicts aged 13 to 25 |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| The NHS is to open its first gambling clinic for children and young people. | |
| The National Problem Gambling Clinic will aim to offer support to addicts aged 13 to 25. | |
| It is part of an expansion of support for those with an addiction announced in an NHS long-term plan which will see 14 clinics open around England. | It is part of an expansion of support for those with an addiction announced in an NHS long-term plan which will see 14 clinics open around England. |
| The Gambling Commission, which regulates the industry, said it was essential people had easy access to support and treatment. | The Gambling Commission, which regulates the industry, said it was essential people had easy access to support and treatment. |
| The parents of one young man who took his own life after battling with a gambling addiction also welcomed the announcement. | The parents of one young man who took his own life after battling with a gambling addiction also welcomed the announcement. |
| Jack Ritchie started gambling with his dinner money at the local bookies when he was 17. Seven years later, he took his own life. | Jack Ritchie started gambling with his dinner money at the local bookies when he was 17. Seven years later, he took his own life. |
| His parents Liz and Charlie, who founded the charity Gambling with Lives, say the seriousness of Jack's situation was not recognised. | His parents Liz and Charlie, who founded the charity Gambling with Lives, say the seriousness of Jack's situation was not recognised. |
| They said their son saw his gambling habit as "a bit of fun" at the beginning. But it soon got out of control. | They said their son saw his gambling habit as "a bit of fun" at the beginning. But it soon got out of control. |
| "But in the end he thought it controlled him." | "But in the end he thought it controlled him." |
| Gambling 'doesn't discriminate' | Gambling 'doesn't discriminate' |
| Liz Ritchie welcomed the news of the clinic for young people. "Of course it's wonderful. And if Jack had had a referral there, then it probably would have saved him. | Liz Ritchie welcomed the news of the clinic for young people. "Of course it's wonderful. And if Jack had had a referral there, then it probably would have saved him. |
| "But the links to primary care are vital. Jack referred himself to his GP, but he didn't know to refer him. So we need proper training for all our GPs." | "But the links to primary care are vital. Jack referred himself to his GP, but he didn't know to refer him. So we need proper training for all our GPs." |
| Henrietta Bowden-Jones, founder and director of the National Problem Gambling Clinic, said: "Gambling disorder is a destructive condition which doesn't discriminate. It wrecks lives, pulls families into debt and can leave people feeling suicidal." | Henrietta Bowden-Jones, founder and director of the National Problem Gambling Clinic, said: "Gambling disorder is a destructive condition which doesn't discriminate. It wrecks lives, pulls families into debt and can leave people feeling suicidal." |
| The new clinic for young people will open this year in London as part of an expansion of NHS services across England. | |
| Fourteen other clinics for adult gambling addicts are set to open - the first in Leeds this summer, followed by others in Manchester and Sunderland. | |
| Until now, specialist face-to-face help has only been available in London at a clinic focused on addicts aged 16 and over. | Until now, specialist face-to-face help has only been available in London at a clinic focused on addicts aged 16 and over. |
| 'Lives blighted' | |
| Health Secretary Matt Hancock said: "I have seen first-hand the devastating impact gambling addiction can have on people's lives and I am determined to do everything I can to help anyone affected get the help and support they need. | Health Secretary Matt Hancock said: "I have seen first-hand the devastating impact gambling addiction can have on people's lives and I am determined to do everything I can to help anyone affected get the help and support they need. |
| "We know that too many young people face their lives being blighted by problem gambling - so these new clinics will also look at what more can be done to help them." | "We know that too many young people face their lives being blighted by problem gambling - so these new clinics will also look at what more can be done to help them." |
| Mike Kenwood, director of development at GamCare - a charity providing support and advice to people affected by problem gambling, told BBC Radio 5 Live more education on the issue "is badly needed" in schools. | Mike Kenwood, director of development at GamCare - a charity providing support and advice to people affected by problem gambling, told BBC Radio 5 Live more education on the issue "is badly needed" in schools. |
| "In school you would have been more likely to receive education and awareness sessions around things like drugs and alcohol, safe sex, healthy eating in PSHE [Personal, Social, Health and Economic education] lessons," he said. | "In school you would have been more likely to receive education and awareness sessions around things like drugs and alcohol, safe sex, healthy eating in PSHE [Personal, Social, Health and Economic education] lessons," he said. |
| "There is a broader agenda which address all those things, but gambling is missing from it." | "There is a broader agenda which address all those things, but gambling is missing from it." |