Please can somebody assist with my surgery giving an 0844 number only on their website? http://www.marketplacesurgery.co.uk/
I have looked everywhere on their website as Dave suggests but it only lists: 0844 387 9996

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~ Edited by Dave: Thread title amended

Hi there and welcome, please see the details below.

There is a free phone number to ring the Commission Group 0800 0856606

http://www.marketplacesurgery.co.uk/patients_rights.htm

I would ring them and tell them that it is now illegal for doctors to use premium rate numbers. Gordon Brown the former (Prime Minister) anounced it in the House Of Commons some years ago. All surgeries are now bound by the law to provide a contact service to pateints that does not cost any more than a 01/02 or 03 tarrif.

I am no expert and maybe other members may word it better than me.


The Local Clinical Commissioning Group is:

Canterbury and Coastal Clinical Commissioning Group
Brook House,
John Wilson Business Park
Reeves Way
Chestfield
Whitstable
Kent CT5 3QT
Tel: 01227 795050

The local Patient Advice and Liaison Service can offer advice and guidance on health services and can be contacted on: 0800 0856606

Ring them on either the 0800 number or the 01 number and express your grievance.

Please let us know how you get on.

NHS England, the body which overseas primary care in England following the reorganisation, last week issued a letter to surgeries telling them to stop using 084 numbers. The correspondence also dispells the widespread myth that system providers don't allow this without termination of contract. For more information see the fair telecoms campaign website.

I phoned and emailed the NHS and got the following reply. UK legislation stipulates that GP Surgeries can use 0844 numbers as long as the cost to the caller is not greater than the cost of a geographical land line.
Importantly this does not mean that they have to change numbers either to benefit mobile phone callers or those with contracts giving free calls to non 0844 numbers. However, it is possible that further legislation will be in place but when ..........

RobjM wrote on Nov 15^th, 2013 at 9:31am:

I phoned and emailed the NHS and got the following reply. UK legislation stipulates that GP Surgeries can use 0844 numbers as long as the cost to the caller is not greater than the cost of a geographical land line. Importantly this does not mean that they have to change numbers either to benefit mobile phone callers or those with contracts giving free calls to non 0844 numbers. However, it is possible that further legislation will be in place but when ..........

Hi there RobjM,

Did NHS England stipulate whether that "condition" was from a landline or mobile? I have a feeling they didn't.  In which case it can be proved in some cases that the 0844 number IS more expensive to call then an 01/02/03 number?

It would be good to find out

RobjM wrote on Nov 15^th, 2013 at 9:31am:

I phoned and emailed the NHS and got the following reply. UK legislation stipulates that GP Surgeries can use 0844 numbers as long as the cost to the caller is not greater than the cost of a geographical land line. Importantly this does not mean that they have to change numbers either to benefit mobile phone callers or those with contracts giving free calls to non 0844 numbers. However, it is possible that further legislation will be in place but when ..........

Rob

Please post here, email or DM me with details of the source of this information - it needs to be updated in the light of the recent letter.