In the endless list of "improvements", in order to increase productivity and  lower costs, a our local GP group surgery has gone on to an 0844 number, thereby creating the situation that one is now held in a queue for anything up to 25 min. Previously it was quicker to put the engaged phone down and ring 10 min later. GOD BLESS TONY BLAIR AND PATRICIA HEWITT.  [smiley=vrolijk_26.gif]
My question is how do I find the alternative number to 0844 4773461

~ Edit by Dave: Thread title amended

catgate wrote on Dec 10^th, 2006 at 12:39pm:

My question is how do I find the alternative number to 0844 4773461

Answer: You probably won't.

Firstly, please post the name and address of this surgery.

Short of dialling all numbers with the STD code that the practice resides in, then I doubt you'll find it. The original number will have been disconnected and a new geographical number(s) put in place.

Google gives 0844 4773461 as

BARNOLDSWICK MEDICAL CENTRE
PARK ROAD
BARNOLDSWICK
LANCASHIRE
BB18 5BG

192.com gives this number from the post code

tel.  01282 812 244

catgate wrote on Dec 10^th, 2006 at 12:39pm:

In the endless list of "improvements", in order to increase productivity and  lower costs, a our local GP group surgery has gone on to an 0844 number, thereby creating the situation that one is now held in a queue for anything up to 25 min.

So that's another £1.25 in their greedy pockets then whereas, before, you could have made the call for 4p, regardless of how long they took to answer or how long you were on the phone after they answered.

So, how are you going to respond when the questionnaire comes round asking your opinion of the surgery - and whether they should be paid £8,000 of their £100,000+ salaries?