[quote author=NGMsGhost link=1160182005/240#254 date=1187950328][quote author=sherbert link=1160182005/240#253 date=1187949541]According to the story in today's West Sussex County Times there is this facility. Anyone who can get this paper this item is on the front page column two[/quote]

Only goes to show the pathetic lack of understanding of most journalists of telecoms issues.

I will make sure to write a letter to the paper guiding people to this website and to the 10DowningStreet petition.[/quote]

This was not a journalist but a member of the public who has this facility apparantly.

I have just spoken to my Health Centre, and have been informed that the centre has an 0844 number and has had it since last year, and that old chestnut that they have been told that it is the same rate as BTs "local rate", full number 0844 4720001, although I did use the old 01772 number and it still worked, (I thought the old numbers got disconnected?).

Was asked to write in, (no email address I was told), with my comments and proof of my statements, where is the point? they have already got the system running and believe what they are told by NEG,(assuming that is who they got the system off, as the receptionist asked "who is NEG").

derrick wrote on Aug 24^th, 2007 at 1:42pm:


Surely the point Derrick is to have their actions reviewed at higher level in your local healthcare trust to try and get the use of 0844 banned and to force the doctors to pay the extra to have the NEG equipment migrated on to 03 numbers.

I think you may perhaps be feeling disheartened after the recent stonewalling by the Information Commissioner in respect of NHS Direct?

But if you become deadlocked with the PCT you could then go to your MP and the Parliamentary Ombudsman.  Also what is the appeal process against an ICO decision?  Is that not also to the Parliamentary Ombudsman via your MP too?

Signatures to the 10 Downing Street petition now at 4845 and counting.  In position 40 on the front page by size.

Everyone with an NEG surgery in their local area needs to write to their local paper giving the URL of the 10 Downing Street petition against these numbers.

We also need Martin Lewis to mention the petition and give the URL in his weekly MoneySavingExpert email.

And I've e-mailed Martin Lewis drawing his attention to THIS POST when he returns from holiday.

Let's hope .....

SilentCallsVictim wrote on Aug 24^th, 2007 at 1:52pm:

derrick wrote on Aug 25^th, 2007 at 9:21am:


I do not disagree. The PCT cannot dictate what particular type of phone number doctors use. The issue only arises with revenue sharing. I cannot believe that the contract allows doctors to collect money in return for the delivery of the NHS services  That is the issue which every PCT and the DoH must address.

I know that there are other issues and complexities involved, however I am making the point that calls to 0844 numbers are more expensive BECAUSE the caller is not only paying the telco, but is also paying a fee to the person they are calling. Are doctors allowed to charge fees for the delivery of NHS services?

David

Another practice manager who has lost the plot on 0844 charging.

"Practice manager at the Pershore centre Pam Ford said that the 0844 number did not cost the 4,000 patients a week that use it, much more and that the practice was not making money out of it."


http://www.eveshamjournal.co.uk/mostpopular.var.1637270.mostcommented.probe_into...

NGMsGhost wrote on Aug 25^th, 2007 at 5:57pm:

Or by Martin Lewis.

COME ON MARTIN.

More practices mislead.

"Mrs Kelley said the company which implemented the phone number in Stamford said all calls would cost 3.7p per minute. This was also agreed by the New Springwell practices."

http://www.stamfordtoday.co.uk/news?articleid=3116459