leedslad wrote on Jul 17^th, 2007 at 1:39pm:


Hi there,

I noticed your post and thought you might want to know that there is a journalist at The Times called David Rose, their health correspondent, who is currently writing up a story on the NEG doctor's surgery scam and is wanting to talk to real life examples of people like you who have actually had their own doctor's surgery number change to 0844 as a result of NEG's activities, and so who have to call one of these 084 or 087 numbers and suffered financially as a result.  Your case in Spain with urgent medical treatment in Spain sounded a particularly bad example of the consequences of NEG's cynical and ruthless action.

If you would be interested in talking to him and having your case featured can you send an email to him at david.rose@the-times.co.uk also giving your phone number (home and/or mobile) and name and he will get in touch with you (probably this weekend as he is writing the story for an edition of next week's Times newspaper) to discuss it further.

I hope this is not intruding but I thought you might want to have the chance to strike back against NEG.

Regards,

NGMsGhost

idb wrote on Jul 20^th, 2007 at 11:56pm:
That is a good point.  They're prob working overtime to think of a way of keeping the revenue they get (or don't according to recent poster from NEG) but still allows international access.

Article by David Rose now available at http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/health/article2120932.ece

<<
Why it will cost more to phone your GP

David Rose

Millions of patients could be paying more to telephone their family doctor as surgeries switch to numbers that are more expensive than the traditional local call, The Times has learnt.

Even though the telephone watchdog Ofcom is critical of the idea, about 1,200 practices have abandoned their area code numbers and now use numbers that have an “0844” prefix which may allow them to earn money from patients booking appointments.

Although not officially classed as “premium rate”, the new numbers are up to 4p a minute more expensive to call from a standard BT landline, and can cost up to 40p a minute using a mobile phone or other price plan. GPs’ practices can also receive a rebate of up to 2p a minute on incoming calls.

[...]

The Say No To 0870 campaign against chargeable numbers said that callers were queueing much longer under the Surgery Line system and being left out of pocket. “It is a scandal that doctors are switching to 0844 numbers without providing an alternative geographic number,” a spokesman said. “Although the banned 0870 numbers cost 7p per minute in the week they cost 1.5p per minute at the weekend, whereas 0844 numbers cost 5p per minute at all times. So anyone needing to call their doctor on a Saturday morning is worse off.” Ofcom should do more to address the issue, he said.

The regulator said it had no remit to prescribe what numbers were used by organisations, but added: “Our general advice is that public sector bodies should not use chargeable 08 numbers.” GPs “should be considering the new 03 numbering range. Calls to these numbers cost the same as a geographic call regardless of what type of line the call is made from and can be included in an inclusive minutes package.”
>>

NGMsGhost wrote on Jul 23^rd, 2007 at 1:41am:

On the other hand it is the number 2 story on The Times website and it is an attention grabbing headline "Why it will cost more to phone your GP".

David Rose has probably flattered by calling us a "campaign" whereas, as far as I know, we are actuallya few anonymous contributors to a discussion forum.

He has revealed that about 1200 GP practices have gone 0844 -- a shocking number and he does say that it l "may allow them to earn money from patients booking appointments".   He also says "But patients’ groups told The Times that the 0844 code put an “unfair financial burden” on pensioners and others with chronic illness or disability who have to contact their surgery regularly. Those taken ill abroad may have difficulty contacting the doctor back home on an 0844 number, as many foreign networks will not connect to them."   Also, “It is a scandal that doctors are switching to 0844 numbers without providing an alternative geographic number,” .   This is surely quite damning. 

But patients’ groups told The Times that the 0844 code put an “unfair financial burden” on pensioners and others with chronic illness or disability who have to contact their surgery regularly. Those taken ill abroad may have difficulty contacting the doctor back home on an 0844 number, as many foreign networks will not connect to them".

Ofcon are quoted -- "Ofcom said that use of the numbers by public sector bodies was “not appropriate” and there were cheaper options".    This surely is a most significant statement -- Ofcon are criticising "public sector bodies".   This is point that must be followed up.   We must quiz Ofcon deeply on this and question Ofcon why they are not doing something about this. 

I would urge contributors to this Forum to write their comments to The Times directly (comment on the article on The Times website) and to write to the editor about the article and issues like Ofcom inaction raised in their article.   I would also suggest that we should draw our MPs attention to this story and ask them to take action in getting this scandal removed.     This is our opportunity to initiate something like a campaign on the whole NGN issue by attacking doctors use of 0844 without an alternative geographic number.    

A hard hitting headline and good to see it's on the homepage. Where abouts is it in the newspaper?

The amount quoted for a geographical call is 3p/min which is daytime rate on Option 1. No mention of inclusive packages and the evening and weekend rate is given as 1p/min, which is shown as the same as 0845, something which isn't correct for Option 1.

I had hoped for more on the possible consequences should someone fall ill abroad. However, it did mention rates mobile phones and even public phone boxes.

Still, it's a start and even mentions NEG. Let's hope that the NEG name gets the same reputation as Patientline.

Dave says "Where abouts is it in the newspaper? "

On page 5.  More than half page is used.   There is a sub-heading "Public sector bodies should not use chargeable 08 numbers"   This is a quote from OfcoN and it seems to me that this is a very significant statement.   The Times has picked it out and highlighted it, lets not be too critical.  If we can get the press on our side we could capitalise on this initial publicity.   Now we should be pressing OfcoN to do something about this - its their area of responsibility and within their remit.   We should urge our MPs to put pressure on Gordon Brown to insist that OfcoN start doing their job properly.   Make OfcoN prove that they are acting for the "citizen consumer".

As NGMsGhost says, perhaps we should start a "Campaign".   If Daniel won't initiate it then we should do it ourselves.  How about getting together for a discussion???   Who would like to attend?   Where?   I could arrange a venue somewhere in Berkshire.  Let me know what you think.   We could work towards getting that sensational headline, but more importantly, we want action by OfcoN or we want them sacked and a proper regulatory Authority installed.

I  agree to involving the Sun, Mirror etc.  The more publicity the better, but remember, it is only a means to an end.   We only want fair play for the citizen and not to be ripped off.

loddon wrote on Jul 23^rd, 2007 at 11:45am:


loddon,

Are you a marketing man or a public relations man by profession.

You seem to understand how to get publicity for an issue and how to gradually develop that issue and enhance its visibility in the world at large.

Hi

The Daily Mail also run an article today.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/health/healthmain.html?in_article...


One reply to the  Times article was very disappointing from a doctor. The guy seemed quite stroppy not very patient orientated.   The  previous entry on this forum from Leedslad explains the problems cleary about 08x numbers from abroad. Also patients may need to cancel long standing appointments from overseas with eg nurses  at the surgery  re routine checkups.

QUOTE "Those taken ill abroad may have difficulty contacting the doctor back home on an 0844 number, as many foreign networks will not connect to them. We are not responsible for your health when you are on holiday in another country you are meant to call the local doctor, we also don't do international visits." UNQUOTE

Dr Borrill, Midlands, UK

Also what is the NEG man in the Times article talking about an average of 2 mins wait for patients. Surely the bottleneck is in the receptionists answering the phone to book an apointment.


I think the Mail may be a good organ for anti 0844 newspieces. Should we try again giving them more ammo.


Alan