David Rose of The Times , who wrote the story on the 23rd July  "Why it will cost more to phone your GP", obtained statements from both Ofcom and the Department of Health (DoH).

He asked them both " why they had stepped in over 0870 and not 0844".   (They took action in 2005 to prevent doctors using 0870 numbers).    These are their answers :----

Ofcom told me the use of 0844 numbers by doctors was "not
appropriate". But it insists that its hands are tied under its legal
remit in the Communications Act 2003 so that it can not prescribe what
numbers businesses and NHS organisations use.

A spokeswoman for Ofcom said: "We stepped in over 0870 numbers because there was a
transparency issue where people did not know how much they were being
charged to call their doctors on 0870. Patients were given little or no
information about what the numbers would cost before they made the call.
There is no such transparency issue with 0844 numbers.

"If there was action to be taken it would need to come from the
Department of Health. There is a danger for us to start meddling in
affairs we have no remit for. We would step in if there was an obvious
complaint where consumers were under a misconception or could not know
how much their calls were costing."  

A Department of Health spokesman said:

"NHS organisations have a duty to ensure that they provide the best
possible service to patients without exploiting them. Ministers wrote to
Primary Care Trusts in December 2006 asking them to take action to
ensure that patients phoning GP practices do not pay more than they
would if they called an area code number.

"GPs should now consider using the 03 numbering range. Introduced
earlier this year, calls to these numbers cost the same as a geographic
call regardless of what type of line the call is made from. They can
also be included in inclusive or low-cost call packages."

"There is no such transparency issue with 0844 numbers."

Really?

When NEG variously use expressions like, "...cost about the same as before" or "lo-call rates", I doubt whether Mr or Mrs average has a clue how much it costs to call their surgery's 0844 number.

As an example:

(1). How much is the BT 'call set-up fee' when calling an 0844 number?

• For someone with a residential landline on BT Together Option 1
  - 6p
• For someone with a residential landline on BT Together Option 2
  - 6p
• For someone with a residential landline on BT Together Option 3
  - 6p

(2). How much per minute does it cost to call:

• 0844 620 1234
  (g10 - 3p)
• 0844 550 2345
  (g 6 - 5p)
• 0844 633 3456
  (g11 - 4p)
• 0844 201 4567
  (g22 - ½p)
• 0844 042 5678
  (g 5 - 1p)
• 0844 833 6789
  (g 9 - 2p)

Knowledgeable people on this forum are required to answer without consulting any tables.

Lompos,

these statements were made to David Rose in answer to his questions.   He included them in his full article which, unfortunately, was not published in full.   He has given me permission to use and quote them in our campaign, so you may quote them authoritatively.   David Rose's direct line at The Times is 0207782 7634 if you wish to speak to him.

I would like to know what responses you get from your PCT, mine were pretty hopeless.

BBC Radio Gloucestershire are intending to broadcast a story/debate about doctors using 0844 numbers tomorrow morning, Tuesday 11th September just after 7 am.   A doctor is apparently lined up to put his side of the case and the BBC will no doubt be seeking views from other people.   The link to Radio Gloucestershire is : ----

http://www.bbc.co.uk/gloucestershire/ ;  

On the righthand side of the home page is a button to use to listen to the broadcast live over the web.   No doubt those living in the area will be able to tune in on their receivers.

Of course, there is never any guarantee that such a feature will actually be broadcast due to editorial considerations, but we believe there is a very good chance that this item will make it on to the airwaves.

Good listening.

Edited:

You can watch the BBC Points West broadcast ( about 3 minutes) on this link : ---

http://www.bbc.co.uk/pointswest/

Click on the title "Doctors surgeries under fire" under "TOP STORIES".

Worth watching!

Our colleague 'Sherbert' has reported, on another thread that "HORSHAM'S Courtyard Surgery is the latest in the town to switch to a new phone system" : ---

http://www.wscountytimes.co.uk/news/latest-surgery-switchover.3206046.jp

Latest surgery switchover
HORSHAM'S Courtyard Surgery is the latest in the town to switch to a new phone system designed to make it easier for patients to contact their GP.

As of Tuesday September 25, the number that patients need to call will change to               0844 815 1157       .

Explaining the reasons for going ahead with the new system, despite negative reports in the local press, Janet Yeo, Practice Manager at Courtyard Surgery, said: "We are keen to stress to our patients that, despite what has been reported in some news articles, we will not be making a profit from our new phone system.

"It has been introduced solely to ease problems with call congestion.
"Call costs have also been exaggerated and misrepresented and we would like to assure our patients that it should cost them around the same to call the surgery with the new system.
Last Updated: 17 September 2007 9:22 AM

The Courtyard Surgery says this on the Practice website : ---

http://www.courtyardsurgery.com/Court_latest_news.htm

"TELEPHONE SYSTEM
Courtyard Surgery is all set to switch to a high tech phone system in use at 1,200 surgeries across the UK on Tuesday 25th September 2007.

Surgery Line has been developed especially for doctors' surgeries and uses call automation as well as additional phone lines to tackle call congestion.  The system includes a modern switch board with headsets, call recording facilities, and safety equipment for staff. The new numbers are charged at a lo-call rate, equivalent to BT's standard rate of 4.226 pence per minute (4.96 with Vat), making the cost of a 4minute call less than 20 pence.

To make the changeover as smooth as possible, any patients who dial the old number in error will hear a recording with details of the new number they need to call. Our new number, from Tuesday 25th September, will be 0844 815 1157. "

BT's standard rate is 4.226 pence per minute?   Where did they get that?   They are saying "Lo-call rate" yet again ignoring instructions from ASA Ofcom NHS etc.

"phone system in use at 1,200 surgeries across the UK " --- this is claimed by NEG but trawling the NHS website register of GP Practices only shows about 500 are using 0844!

loddon wrote on Sep 21^st, 2007 at 8:20am:

I thought I would email this surgery (incidentally it is not mine but fear mine will go over eventually) and point out that their facts are wrong about this paragraph....



But guess what? There is no email contact. Yet in the local press some weeks ago it was said that on line appointments would be an option.

Indeed... you don't want to be on the receiving end of an ASA query, toothless though they are.  Absolute proof of each claim at the time you distribute the leaflet (not afterwards!) is required.  details here.

I just had confirmation from them that they are recommending upholding a complaint re an unpriced 0871 (among other things) on an ad I forwrded them a couple of months back..  So it's definitely going to be worth forwarding all others I come across now..