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<p>Any decisions on the commissioning of effective treatment services are the responsibility
of local commissioners<strong>, </strong>based on an assessment of local need.</p><p>
</p><p>NHS Choices offers information on a range of services to problem gamblers including
those provided by GamCare, the Gordon Moody Association and Gamblers Anonymous. Central
and North West London NHS Foundation Trust has a national problem gambling clinic
which accepts referrals from all over the United Kingdom including those with mental
health problems.</p><p> </p><p>Problem gambling can cause physical and mental health
problems, including anxiety disorders and depression. The Improving Access to Psychological
Therapies (IAPT) programme began in 2008 and has transformed treatment of adult anxiety
disorders and depression in England. Over 900,000 people now access IAPT services
each year and the Five Year Forward View for Mental Health has pledged to expand services
further to see a further one million more people treated for mental health problems
every year by 2020 alongside improving quality. Although problem gambling is not listed
amongst the provisional diagnosis categories that IAPT treats, IAPT practitioners
would be able to treat common mental health disorders such as depression and anxiety
which problem gamblers may present with.</p>
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