The advice forms part of a ‘draft guidance for consultation’ published by NICE – the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence – on identifying, assessing, and managing harmful gambling within Britain’s public health network.
The institute advises healthcare practitioners, such as GPs, to ask patients about gambling, mirroring the mandatory questions on tobacco (smoking) and alcohol consumption.
As reported: “NICE has identified that when people present at appointments with depression, anxiety, or thoughts about self-harm, suicide, or a possible addiction (for example, alcohol or drug misuse), they may be at increased risk of harm from gambling. NICE recommends this risk be identified and addressed by healthcare professionals.”
To aid the assessment of mental health issues, practitioners should encourage patients to self-evaluate their..