Not only that, but they have also issued an overseas number at the same time (during the press briefing)!  Looks like we really did achieve something there! 

However, just as I'm finishing this message, he's announced a number for NHS Direct: 0845...  Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.

Alternative wrote on Dec 11^th, 2005 at 9:55pm:


Read post 1 in this thread for the GN number also supplied.

Or are you going to moan that this says its from overseas?  If people aren't aware that 0800 cost loads more so they need to call the overseas number there is really no hope for them.  Of course I agree that ideally it would say it is for overseas and mobile phones.

Perhaps you would care to send the Chief Constable of Herts Police and Pito a couple of emails to make this suggestion to them.

One problem is where dim people try to be clever, which was behind many of the 087/084 excuses. I have an idea that THA 0808 numbers (Telephone Helplines Association) were still to be properly free from payphones and mobiles, but perhaps that is wishful thinking.
But, of course, a normal geographic number is the answer. With slightly better doubles and patterns (not too fancy) for special numbers.
Or is this to plain and simple? (And time for me to go to bed.)
But not before noting that if people tried to run things properly instead of trying to be clever with 087/084/080 etc - and failing because they did not understand the implications.  

Tks mc661.
Fortunately I did not read that until this morning - or I might have had nightmares.   Dear oh dear.