UK National Health Service (NHS) Opens Game Addiction Clinic

• UK National Health Service (NHS) Opens Game Addiction Clinic

• UK National Health Service (NHS) 

The UK's National Health Service, or NHS, has announced plans to open its first centre for gaming addiction. The announcement comes several months after the World Health Organization, WHO, voted to classify gaming addiction by 2022.

Called the Centre for Internet and Gaming Disorder, it will treat young people between the ages of 13 to 25. The centre is part of the National Centre for Behavioural Addictions in London and those who are referred to it by their doctor will work with clinical psychologists, therapists, psychiatrists, mental health nurses, therapists, and psychiatrists who specialize in treating young people. The treatment will either take place in person or they can have an online consultation over Skype.

Simon Stevens, the NHS' chief executive said that "this new service is a response to an emerging problem, part of the increasing pressures that children and young people are exposed to these days." However, Stevens also said that "gambling and internet firms have a responsibility to their users" and that they shouldn't "cash in" on obsessive behavior while letting the NHS "pick up the pieces."

Fiona Smith, professional lead for children and young people at the Royal College of Nursing, also called upon tech companies to take responsibility, arguing they should financially contribute to the NHS: “The NHS…and taxpayers can’t foot the bill alone. Online gaming firms and global social media firms who make millions of pounds of profit must take more responsibility by keeping their platforms safe, and introduce safeguards to reduce the burden on the health service.”