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GPs all over England (not just in South Yorkshire) (Read 890,132 times)
Ian G
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Re: GPs all over England (not just in South Yorkshire)
Reply #630 - Jan 29th, 2014 at 5:10pm
 
I contend that the price of 0844 phone calls is not such a "basic" thing. In fact it is a very complicated thing, with many facets that are not openly stated by Ofcom nor by suppliers of these numbers. The multiple price bands, the "NTS Condition", revenue sharing, the false claims about "local" and "national" rate, the fact that some providers charge different amounts for different numbers in step with the Service Charge variation while others add a variable mark-up to inflate the call price for all numbers with the same prefix up to a fixed level, and many other things are not well understood and conspire to confuse. If this was all "basic" stuff Ofcom would not have spent the last couple of years battling various providers in order to produce and introduce a completely new and much more transparent system. Indeed, in recent reading of the websites of some of the sellers it is as if they themselves do not understand the product they are flogging.

The number of non-compliant GPs has reduced but there is still a long way to go.

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« Last Edit: Jan 29th, 2014 at 5:52pm by Ian G »  
 
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loddon
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Re: GPs all over England (not just in South Yorkshire)
Reply #631 - Jan 29th, 2014 at 6:38pm
 
Ian G wrote on Jan 29th, 2014 at 5:10pm:
  I contend that the price of 0844 phone calls ... is a very complicated thing, ...... are not well understood and conspire to confuse.
   

It is apparent that the phone service industry has conspired over recent years to deliberately mislead and confuse consumers about the true costs of many number ranges.   However, any moderately intelligent person, even a doctor, can get a pretty good idea of the true costs merely by looking at their own phone bills or tariffs.  It wouldn't then take much more effort to realise that it would be a very bad idea to adopt 0844.   Indeed, the vast majority of GPs, to their credit, never did adopt 0844 and some very clearly stated they would never consider using 0844.

Ian G wrote on Jan 29th, 2014 at 5:10pm:
If this was all "basic" stuff Ofcom would not have spent the last couple of years battling various providers in order to produce and introduce a completely new and much more transparent system.


Ofcom's difficulties have all been of their own making and a reluctance to take positive action to protect consumers from harm.   Ofcom and its predecessors allowed the situation to become confused and allowed operators to exploit the confusion at the expense of consumers.   Ofcom showed it had the power to act when it banned revenue sharing on 0870 numbers as it felt under pressure from this website and various campaigners and the growing exploitative reputation of 0870.   Ofcom simultaneously showed their incompetence and inadequacy by not at that time imposing controls on the costs of 0870 calls and failing to ban revenue sharing on the other 08 numbers, leading to a mass migration from 0870 onto 0844, 0871 and 0843.   

Ofcom consultations over the past 4 years have all been about finding a way, which will take yet another 18 months, to limit the levels of exploitation by tinkering with the regulations and submitting to the pressures from within the industry in order, as Ofcom expresses it " to reinvigorate " the market for 084 and 087 numbers whilst preserving the unethical practice of revenue sharing.   Ironically, this intention has been seriously undermined by the EU's CRD which will be implemented in the UK by June this year and is seen to be already causing major business defections from the 084 range onto 03 and geo numbers.

Ian G wrote on Jan 29th, 2014 at 5:10pm:
The number of non-compliant GPs has reduced but there is still a long way to go.


As requested before please let us know exactly how many GPs have fully abandoned 0844 in recent months.   As far as I can recall only one has been reported so far on this Forum.   There are said to be 699 within England using 0844 at present.
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« Last Edit: Jan 29th, 2014 at 9:41pm by loddon »  
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Ian G
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Re: GPs all over England (not just in South Yorkshire)
Reply #632 - Jan 30th, 2014 at 11:27am
 
Here's the complete list of 0844 users held by Google. It obviously includes some of those that have recently stopped using (because Google doesn't immediately turn up and re-index a page right after they change their phone number):

http://www.google.co.uk/search?num=100&filter=0&q=site:nhs.uk/Services/GP/Overvi... (25/478)
http://www.google.co.uk/search?num=100&filter=0&q=site:nhs.uk/Services/GP/Overvi... (0/21)
http://www.google.co.uk/search?num=100&filter=0&q=site:nhs.uk/Services/GP/Overvi... (16/81)
http://www.google.co.uk/search?num=100&filter=0&q=site:nhs.uk/Services/GP/Overvi... (2/7)
http://www.google.co.uk/search?num=100&filter=0&q=site:nhs.uk/Services/GP/Overvi... (9/9)
http://www.google.co.uk/search?num=100&filter=0&q=site:nhs.uk/Services/GP/Overvi... (0/4)

There are now 600 GP practices listed, however many of those in the last five lists are duplicates of those in the first list. Previously there were over a thousand entries. Hundreds have started advertising an 01 or 02 number in recent months and have already dropped off the list. There are also likely to be some pages that have been updated but which Google has not yet re-indexed, and some practices that have changed their number but haven't yet updated their website entry.

Of the 600 still listed, at least 52 no longer advertise an 0844 number. Those are the entries where no 0844 number is shown in the snippet (they are often at or near the end of the list). Click through to the listed web page and you'll see the new geographic number. Those entries will also shortly drop off Google's list. There's a noticeable reduction over the last few months, but there's still a long way to go.

Exact numbers are impossible to judge, but perhaps somewhere around 500 or a bit under now?
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« Last Edit: Jan 30th, 2014 at 11:57pm by Ian G »  
 
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Re: GPs all over England (not just in South Yorkshire)
Reply #633 - Feb 21st, 2014 at 6:37am
 
A freedom of information disclosure shows Handsworth Medical Centre, in Handsworth Avenue, Highams Park, makes nearly £500 a month from its 0844 number.

Full story here:

http://www.guardian-series.co.uk/news/wfnews/11025627.Patients_subsidise_surgery...
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« Last Edit: Feb 21st, 2014 at 6:39am by bigjohn »  

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Re: GPs all over England (not just in South Yorkshire)
Reply #634 - Mar 4th, 2014 at 5:44am
 
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Re: GPs all over England (not just in South Yorkshire)
Reply #635 - Mar 4th, 2014 at 6:52am
 
What a load of rubbi sh! Gordon Brown addressed the prior to the 2010 election, he outlawed the use of premium rate numbers then. How can the practice manager say that they were not aware of procedure WHAT A LOW OF ROT!!

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Ian G
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Re: GPs all over England (not just in South Yorkshire)
Reply #636 - Mar 5th, 2014 at 10:13am
 
http://www.nhs.uk/Services/GP/ReviewsAndRatings/DefaultView.aspx?id=41121&SortTy...

Quote:
Quote:
Prime rate telephone number?

Bit of a money spinner? Kept waiting on this very expensive number (so far 9 minutes). The elderly wouldn't be aware. It is disgraceful.Really don't expect this from a doctor.

Visited in February 2014. Posted on 20 February 2014


The Law Medical Group Practice replied on 05 March 2014
Thank you for your comment. We apologise that you have had a negative experience of the practice, and were kept waiting on the telephone. We do advertise the cost at the beginning of the telephone call, and also provide alternative methods of contacting the practice such as via letter, online or walking in. There are a number of advantages to patients in having on 0844 number, such as no engaged/busy tone, and the feature to have different options for the call. We appreciate that the cost of a call can be expensive, and are currently looking into alternatives to the 0844 number, although it must be appreciated that the practice is involved in a contract with our telephone provider. We would again like to remind yourself and our other patients of the alternative methods of contact, and also that the practice never hesitates to contact patients on both mobiles and landlines, despite the cost. The practice is also constantly looking into ways to reduce wait times on the telephone and improve our service, and we hope that you have a more positive experience next time.

Posted by the practice today. Trotting out the same old garbage.

They are the subject of this newspaper article two weeks ago: http://www.kilburntimes.co.uk/news/patients_charged_premium_rate_to_call_two_gp_...
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« Last Edit: Mar 5th, 2014 at 10:21am by Ian G »  
 
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CJT-80
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Re: GPs all over England (not just in South Yorkshire)
Reply #637 - Mar 5th, 2014 at 10:51am
 
Ian G wrote on Mar 5th, 2014 at 10:13am:
Trotting out the same old garbage.


Ian with respect I don't think using those terms helps the situation in any way shape of from...

Perhaps encouraging the surgery to at least provide an alternative number, while they seek to amend their contract, would be a better start?
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Ian G
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Re: GPs all over England (not just in South Yorkshire)
Reply #638 - Mar 5th, 2014 at 11:38am
 
Signing up for an alternative telephone number, one that becomes redundant as soon as the practice migrates their main telephone number from 084 to 03, is not a particularly good solution.

Migrating the 084 number to an 03 number (making the practice compliant) takes about the same amount of time as activating an alternative number (leaving the practice in a non-compliant position).

They appear to not know, or choose to ignore, that the same call facilities are available on an 0344 number as on an 0844 number, and that they can move to the matching 0344 number by making one simple phone call to their provider to action it without incurring a penalty fee on their telephone services contract or equipment lease.

Four months have elapsed since they received a letter from NHS England busting some myths and asking them to "explain their plans for swiftly moving away from the use of an 084 numbner".
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« Last Edit: Mar 5th, 2014 at 11:53am by Ian G »  
 
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Re: GPs all over England (not just in South Yorkshire)
Reply #639 - Mar 5th, 2014 at 4:37pm
 
Now Ian, you see that was a much more informative post than saying there were "trotting out garbage"

so they are for whatever reason dragging their heels in getting it changed over...

perhaps they need reminding then?
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bigjohn
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Re: GPs all over England (not just in South Yorkshire)
Reply #640 - Mar 14th, 2014 at 7:33pm
 
Our old friends Daisy of Doctor,s Phone Systems and 0844 fame are subject to a take over bid by the parent company of Virgin Media.

http://www.mobiletoday.co.uk/news/industry/28728/daisy_subject_of_500m-plus_bid_...
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Re: Doctors Surgeries
Reply #641 - Mar 18th, 2014 at 3:00pm
 
jrawle wrote on Dec 16th, 2008 at 2:38pm:
From a scrolling message on their website:

Quote:
From 18.3.2008 we are changing our telephone number to 0844 576 9200.  We do not have an answering machine so you cannot leave a message. If you  try to get local rates by not dialing (01773) the prefix  and direct dialing 576 9200, the call does not come to Whitemoor Medical Centre.  This is a  phone number to a home in Heage.  Whitemoor Medical Centre was formerly Green Lane Surgery.


It doesn't quite make sense. Was the code 01773 before they switched? Whoever lives at that house has an extra reason to be annoyed by the surgery's switch to rip-off numbers. The message also implicitly admits that the 0844 number is expensive to call.

Do you have the number they had before they switched to 0844, so I can avoid "finding" it if it doesn't work any more?

I did find two recent job adverts (October, so after they switched in March) and it gives the number 01773 881148 for people to apply for the job. You could try that as see if they will put you through, or you can at least complain - it might be the practice manager or someone similar. The only references are for jobs at this medical centre, so it isn't a job agency.

It seems there is only one other surgery in the area that uses 0844. The others use local numbers. Ultimately the answer might be to change doctor. After all, the practices are run as businesses these days, so if you aren't happy, take your custom elsewhere.


If you want to make an automated booking using a local number with Whitemoor Medical Centre in Belper, call 01773 881142.  You can press options to talk to a receptionist too.  I would guess, but haven't tried, that somewhere between 881142 and 881148 is the local number that gets you through to the repeat prescription number too.  I'll let someone else try that!
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bigjohn
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Re: GPs all over England (not just in South Yorkshire)
Reply #642 - Jun 25th, 2014 at 5:49am
 
bigjohn wrote on Feb 21st, 2014 at 6:37am:
A freedom of information disclosure shows Handsworth Medical Centre, in Handsworth Avenue, Highams Park, makes nearly £500 a month from its 0844 number.

Full story here:

http://www.guardian-series.co.uk/news/wfnews/11025627.Patients_subsidise_surgery...


The surgery has now got themselves a 020 3  number.

See http://www.handsworthmedicalpractice.com/
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Ian G
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Re: GPs all over England (not just in South Yorkshire)
Reply #643 - Jun 25th, 2014 at 7:45am
 
That's the story from February.  There was an update yesterday.

http://www.guardian-series.co.uk/news/11297112.Doctor_s_surgery_reverts_back_to_...

This is as originally published at 2:00pm
Quote:
East London and West Essex Guardian Series: Doctor's surgery reverts back to local rate number

2:00pm Tuesday 24th June 2014
in News East London and West Essex Guardian Series
By Natalie Glanvill

It was revealed earlier this year that patients were subsidising Handsworth Medical Centre costs through the use of a premium rate line.

A doctor's surgery has announced it has reverted back to a local rate number after patients spent two years being charged to phone a premium rate line.

Earlier this year, the Guardian revealed patients using the 0844 number were subsidising phone bill costs at Handsworth Medical Centre in Handsworth Avenue, Highams Park.

The practice was making almost £500 a month since it was introduced in March 2012 following recommendations by the British Medical Association.

At the time of taking out the five-year contract with telecom provider NEG, now known as Surgery Line, practice manager Josie Camplin said the surgery had been "misled" about the "true cost" to patients.

As an interim measure, a local rate number was introduced in parallel to the 0844 number as Ms Camplin looked at ways of moving away from the 0844 number costing patients a minimum of 4p a minute.

To date, the £475 a month subsidy had generated over £10,000 and the contract was due to expire in March 2017 but a meeting with Surgery Line was held in March this year.

As of June 16, the surgery reverted back to a local rate telephone number of 0203 006 9216.

In may 2013, NHS England announced it will crack down on GPs use of premium phone numbers and threaten them with breach of contract notices if they cannot prove they are doing all they can to stop using the premium rate numbers.

The practice has been contacted for a comment.

Related links
* Meeting over surgery premium rate line
* Patients subsidise surgery costs through premium rate line

The story was amended in several places an hour later.
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« Last Edit: Jun 25th, 2014 at 7:53am by Ian G »  
 
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bigjohn
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Re: Handsworth Medical Centre
Reply #644 - Jun 25th, 2014 at 9:12am
 
I know it was a story from Feb i posted article originally. Wink

I was just pointing out they were now using a geographical number,which i had noticed on website.Which they had not done before.
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« Last Edit: Jun 25th, 2014 at 9:14am by bigjohn »  

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