In this episode of the GP+ Careers podcast, Sophie interviews Dr Emma Ryan, a GP partner and Clinical Director, and also serves as the lead GP at the UK's first national primary care gambling harms service, established in 2019. She discusses her dual role, the holistic mental health assessments offered by her service for individuals experiencing gambling harm, and the service's evolution from self-referrals to increasing GP referrals. The episode also covers Dr Ryan's journey into this specialised field, the importance of raising awareness among healthcare professionals, and advice for GPs interested in diversifying their careers into similar areas of special interest.
Top tips
Educate yourself thoroughly: Begin by reading the latest NICE guidelines on gambling harms (2025), which recommend GPs ask about gambling harms in certain consultations, especially mental health consultations. You can also attend a free RCGP Gambling Harms webinar, which provides an overview of the NICE guideline Gambling-related harms and its relevance to CQC, practical interventions to use during consultations such as the Very Brief Advice (VBA), signposting to local support, and insights from lived experience. Attendance at a webinar will enable full accreditation under the RCGP Gambling Harms Scheme, unlocking access to valuable resources, patient-facing posters, and recognition for your practice. Also make use of the RCGP Gambling Harms Hub, which offers additional learning resources such as e-Learning modules and podcasts.
Connect with established services and networks: Reach out to thePrimary Care Gambling Service, as they are keen to expand their network of interested GPs and have links across all regions. Also, explore the National Gambling Support Network, commissioned by Gamble Aware, to find information about services available in different areas. It's also beneficial to visit existing voluntary (third) sector treatment and support services to understand their long-standing work.
Leverage your existing GP skills and embrace opportunities: Your core GP skills, such as being interested in patients and their stories, are highly valuable, and you shouldn't let imposter syndrome hold you back. Your role primarily involves identifying patients and conducting initial holistic mental health assessments, not necessarily providing the specific therapies like Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). Be open to saying "yes" to new experiences, as an initial interest can lead to significant career development and opportunities.
Understand the evolving landscape and funding: Be aware that increased funding is now being directed towards the NHS for gambling harm treatment and support, making this a timely opportunity for GPs to get involved. Recognising gambling harm as a "hidden addiction" that patients often suffer from for many years before seeking help highlights the crucial need for easy referral pathways and GP awareness.
Develop strong organisational and leadership skills: If you balance multiple roles, you must be highly organised and excellent at time management. Clearly separate your "gambling harms days" from "GP days" to ensure focus in each role and prioritize your main tasks over checking emails first to prevent getting sidetracked. Leadership experience can be very valuable in setting up or developing services.
Further reading
RCGP Gambling Harms Hub:
https://elearning.rcgp.org.uk/course/view.php?id=734
Primary Care Gambling Service:
https://www.primarycaregamblingservice.co.uk/
NICE guidelines (2025):
https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng248
Emma qualified from King’s College London in 1999 and began her career in General Practice in 2005. She is a GP Partner and PCN Clinical Director.
She has been part of the team that has established the Primary Care Gambling Service. A national service that provides free, confidential, NHS treatment for those experiencing gambling harms.
She is a GP trainer, and educational supervisor and has worked with the Royal College of General Practitioners to develop a specific Gambling Learning Hub on the college’s website. This is an educational resource for the whole primary care team. In parallel to this includes an accreditation scheme developed for GP practices to enlist to. This is for practices to highlight to their patients that they are knowledgeable in gambling harms.
She is the co-author of a Primary Care Gambling Competency Framework endorsed by the RCGP and was a committee member of the NICE Guideline Gambling: identification, diagnosis and management committee that was published in January 2025.
Tell us what you thought!
We'd love to hear your valuable feedback. Please take 2 minutes to
complete the form.
