Ministers increase pressure on GP’s to stop using 0845 and 0844 numbers in their surgeries.
Ministers have launched an England-wide consultation to ask the public whether they want GP surgeries to keep their 08 numbers.
Over 1000 surgeries across the UK are now using 0844 and 0845 numbers. These numbers generate a small amount of income for the practices, which is then spent on improving patient services.
These lo-call rate 08 numbers cost up to 5 pence a minute from a landline, and up to 20 pence a minute from a mobile.
Health Minister Ben Bradshaw said: “We are concerned that some people are paying over the odds to contact the NHS. For people on low incomes who need to contact their local doctor or hospital regularly, these costs can soon mount up.”
Both GP’s and the British Medical Association are defending the use of 08 numbers in general practice. Dr Laurence Buckman, GPC chair, said: ‘Where 0845 numbers are used by the NHS there is good evidence that patient satisfaction has improved, with better and quicker access to services because of the additional functions within the telephone system.’
In 2005 the Department of Health put pressure on GP’s to change from 0870 numbers, which cost the caller significantly more than the 0845 range.
An official review is being conducted into whether surgeries and governing bodies should be made to use the 03 number range. These numbers cost the same as a local call but will not contribute to funding the telephone systems currently installed in surgeries across the UK.
Ministers have failed to highlight how these services can be funded if these changes do take place.
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