Hi does anyone have the alternative for Ombersley Medical Centre, in Worcestershire 0844 855 0300?

Cant seem to get it anywhere and to call from mobile it's not on for a lot of people elderley etc.

---

~ Edited by Dave: Thread title amended

Hi and welcome to SAYNOTOO0870.COM.

A search of the forum reveals that your surgery has been mentioned elsewhere, including some newspaper reports:

http://www.saynoto0870.com/cgi-bin/forum/YaBB.cgi?num=1160182005/216#216
http://www.saynoto0870.com/cgi-bin/forum/YaBB.cgi?num=1160182005/235#235

Quote:

But Debbie Weston said she had been led to believe the calls were at a local rate by their supplier. "People need to be aware that as far as we're concerned we're not expecting patients to pay any more than they should be. I was flabbergasted and gutted by the article," she said.

http://www.saynoto0870.com/cgi-bin/forum/YaBB.cgi?num=1160182005/297#297
http://www.saynoto0870.com/cgi-bin/forum/YaBB.cgi?num=1160182005/413#413 (Patients had their say on whether to keep the 0844 number)
http://www.saynoto0870.com/cgi-bin/forum/YaBB.cgi?num=1160182005/432#432

Quote:

Practice manager, Debbie Weston, told Worcester News: “It’s a much better service as it is and the telephone system stops people having to wait. There are no queues. I think people realise that to charge one extra pence per minute is not that bad.” To date, only four patients have requested the phone number goes back to an ordinary land line, and the poll will stay open until the end of the month. Weston said that the number had helped them deal with more cases over the phone. Weston added: “Our telephone service is much more efficient now. We have been corresponding with the PCT and they have more or less agreed that we’re not charging excessively.”

http://www.saynoto0870.com/cgi-bin/forum/YaBB.cgi?num=1160182005/480#480

Try 01905 620202. Does it work?

Dave wrote on Feb 1^st, 2010 at 4:15pm:

Quote: Practice manager, Debbie Weston, told Worcester News: “... to charge one extra pence per minute is not that bad.”

If Ms Weston was managing a private medical service then she would be free to make such claims (although this one is not strictly accurate).

Even if it were, it would not be acceptable for the NHS, which is "free at the point of need". Her claim may be taken as confirmation that the surgery will not be able to continue using this number once the revised terms of the GMS contract come into effect shortly, as these will quite properly outlaw use of any number which causes any excess charge to be incurred by a patient.

The patients who indicated that they were happy to pay for NHS services will have to make their voluntary contributions in other ways.

(For the record, it is understood that this surgery is not using the same system as most of those with 0844 numbers.)

I've had a look round and can't come up with anything. :-/

The best way to register your protest would be to switch to the Spa Medical Practice in Droitwich who still use a normal 01905 number.  Then send out a press release to the local newspaper explaining your reasons for moving practices.

See www.nhs.uk/ServiceDirectories/Pages/GP.aspx?pid=0535061C-650E-4FD0-82D4-DE72ED38B00F

However obviously unless you happen to go through Droitwich on the way to work the extra 3 to 4 miles each way is not likely to be that convenient. :(


Quote:

Location & Contact Details The Spa Medical Practice Ombersley Street Ombersley Street Droitwich Worcestershire WR9 8RD Phone: 01905 772389 Fax: 01905 797386

I see the local press has already given considerable coverage to the issue at your particular practice.

See www.worcesternews.co.uk/news/2013449.surgeries_stuck_with_the_ripoff_numbers/

and

www.worcesternews.co.uk/news/1808117.patients_to_have_say_on_0844_numbers/