I wrote to the NHS Trust responsible for the Dorset GP,s out of normal hours (evenings and weekends)service asking why the expected people to call a 0845 no, and what was in it for them.

In a nutshell they replied they had looked at a number of options,and had chosen 0845 because it would enable everybody in there area to call for the price of a local call,and they were making no money from it.(In fact it was costing them £30,OOO a year to run and they would rather spend this on patient care).

I then replied pointing out changes in BT Callrates 1/7/04,cost from payphones and mobiles ,that the provider of the service is making money from the callers above what they would normally pay etc etc.

They have just replied saying they have found the info must useful and are reviewing the use of the no.

The problem does seem to be that end users are not being made fully aware of the implications in the use of NGN no,s.Probaly because they are a cash cow for providers.

Don't have a problem with it personally - if its costing them nothing (and callers 1ppm) - that is if its something like www.telng.com where they can divert to the relevant person very very quickly.

But as its costing them lots of money then they should just use a geographic as you say.

The problem with it is

A.Its costing the NHS £3O,OOO grand a year which they could spend on patient care.(The provider is charging them rental and for there share of the calls.)Not all providers give the numbers away for nowt.
B.There is no need for it a geo no would suffice it only goes through to a group of geo numbers.(no requirements for divert.)
C.People phoning from payphones and mobiles have to pay more to ring 0845.
D.The provider is indirectly making a profit from the patients calling it.