RCGP Scotland Gambling Harms Clinical Lead

RCGP Scotland has received funding from the Scottish Government to deliver a project aimed at reducing gambling harms in Scotland and is looking to commission an enthusiastic GP with education delivery experience to lead on this work. Building on the RCGP Gambling Harms accreditation scheme previously delivered across the UK, we are now looking to initiate a Scotland-specific programme of learning for GPs based in Scotland.

There is a significant unmet need with respect to engaging patients experiencing harmful gambling, however GPs have a key role in early identification, assessment and treatment of people suffering from gambling harms. The RCGP Scotland Gambling Harms Project aims to improve GP knowledge and awareness of the relevant issues arising from harmful gambling on health and to share useful learning resources and tools to support this. By doing this we intend to improve outcomes for patients and reduce stigma. To achieve this the project will offer a range of educational opportunities specifically for primary care clinicians. This includes delivering a series of online webinars, some of which will engage with lived experienced speakers, connecting with Cluster Quality Leads and the RCGP Scottish Faculties as well as promoting an online eLearning module. Following completion of one of the educational activities, the participant will be eligible to apply for gambling harms accreditation for their practice.

RCGP Scotland is looking to commission this work from someone with experience of delivering education and who is enthusiastic about supporting GPs to better understand the importance of being aware of and how to respond to patients experiencing harmful gambling.

The current duration of the post is to the end of March 2027; however, we are hopeful to apply for funding to March 2028. We anticipate approximately 40 sessions available for potential activity in 2027/2028

Specification of work to be delivered:

1. Desk research report -Undertake desk research to understand the landscape in Scotland relating to the prevalence and impact of gambling in Scotland. Produce a report with findings and recommendations and use this to inform the project and webinar topics. Collate knowledge and information on the treatment and support services available in Scotland for those affected by harmful gambling, including affected others and provide these to the Projects Officer to develop a signposting document. To be completed by January 2027 - 2 sessions upon completion.

2. Webinar development and delivery to improve awareness and knowledge -Shadow the delivery of one evening webinar and deliver two 90-minute evening webinars on Teams. Engage lived experience speakers and incorporate a 30-minute presentation/discussion from them within the webinars. Collate knowledge and information on the core gambling harms webinar content to ensure relevance to healthcare systems in Scotland, using the information from the research to inform some specific webinars on topical issues. 1.5 session prep and delivery per webinar by end March 2027 2 sessions to review materials and develop content relevant to pertinent topics.

3. Lunch and learn webinars development -Engage Cluster Quality Leads and Community Links Workers and deliver six lunch time learning sessions covering the same core material as webinars but tailored either to work as quality improvement within a GP Cluster or on a topical issue relating to the locality. 1 session per webinar by end March 2027.

4. Awareness ready Faculty Sessions -Effectively engage Faculty officers/members to participate in in-person awareness raising sessions with a view to them cascading information to local colleagues and other healthcare professionals and encourage them to engage in the programme. 1 session per meeting. To be completed by end March 2027.

5. Promotional Strategy and Communications Plan -Input into promotional strategy and content plan, outlining target audiences, key messaging, promotional channels, and approve copy. Attend ad-hoc meetings with an external PR Company to inform their campaign to raise the profile of the Gambling Harms projects across the UK. Provide feedback on their campaign strategy at each milestone. By end December 2026 - 1 session External PR strategy by end March 2027 – 1 session.

6. Evaluation Report and Case Studies -Review feedback from webinars and eLearning module to gain a baseline of participants’ knowledge and confidence following participation in the activity and produce a conclusion and recommendations to inform any changes to subsequent webinars. Engage a selection of (six) past participants to discover the longer‑term impact of the learning, including barriers/challenges they have overcome, how they did it and what they learned. Develop these in to draft case studies to be approved by the participant and finalised and published by the Projects Officer. 1 hour per report (up to 4 sessions). Feedback reviewed within 2 weeks of each webinar 1 session per case study (up to 6 sessions) to be completed by end March 2027.

7. Stakeholder Engagement -Identify and engage relevant stakeholders to support the project. Contribute to conversations with stakeholders to support improvements and long‑term change, which can include discussions on coding, understanding variation across Scotland etc. Attend bi‑annual meetings with the project funder to update on progress (alongside the project team). Ongoing engagement throughout to March 2027 – 3 sessions 0.5 sessions for funder meetings.

8. Project progress and alignment -Contribute to fortnightly meetings with the Projects Officer to update on progress against deliverables. Monthly Keeping in Touch meetings with the RCGP Project Management Office to ensure alignment between their Gambling Harms project and the project in Scotland. 1 hour per meeting with PO. Ongoing throughout to end March 2027 1 hour per KiT meeting (up to 3 sessions) to end March 2027

Essential Attributes:

• Member or Fellow of RCGP in good standing
• Significant experience in General Practice
• Experience in delivering educational activities relevant for GPs
• A desire to increase awareness of harmful gambling amongst GPs and the wider primary care team and enthusiasm to engage GPs in this new programme
• Excellent interpersonal skills and an ability to form and nurture effective relationships with stakeholders
• Ability to work at pace and deliver requirements to sometimes pressing deadline

Location requirements:

The role will be predominantly delivered remotely however the post holder may be required to travel within Scotland to as part of awareness raising activity. Travel and subsistence expenses are available in accordance with the RCGP Travel, Subsistence and Expenses Policy and payable on receipt of an RCGP Scotland claim form which must be submitted monthly.

Remuneration:

RCGP sessional rate – £264.41 per session (2026/2027 rate)