Welcome, Guest. Please Login or Register
SAYNOTO0870.COM

<---- Back to main website

 
Home Help Search Login Register

Pages: 1 ... 11 12 13 14 15 16
Send Topic Print
PETITION to No. 10 - Prevent doctors using 0844 (Read 247,445 times)
Dave
Global Moderator
*****
Offline



Posts: 9,902
Yorkshire
Gender: male
Re: PETITION to No. 10 - Prevent doctors using 084
Reply #180 - Jul 14th, 2009 at 2:40pm
 
Moggster wrote on Jul 14th, 2009 at 10:03am:
My 1st post and just wanted to say I've signed the petition. Believe it or not, it's cheaper for my family to call our friends in Chicago (not on skype, just a straight telephone call) than it is to call my local doctor who is 2 streets away on an 0844 number.

Hello and welcome to the website and campaign. Thanks for your support.

Has the 01/02 number for your surgery been found and is it listed on this website?
Back to top
« Last Edit: Jul 14th, 2009 at 2:41pm by Dave »  
 
IP Logged
 
Moggster
Newbie
*
Offline



Posts: 2
Re: PETITION to No. 10 - Prevent doctors using 084
Reply #181 - Jul 27th, 2009 at 11:54am
 
Thanks for the welcome. Unfortunately I cannot find the 02 number listed on the website. We were told by the practice that they were switching to an 0844 number as their old 02 number had issues with call waiting causing problems in the area. On the old 02 number it was very hit and miss whether you'd get through or not as most of the time the lines were engaged. When they switched to the 0844 number, they introduced a queuing system which made things a lot better in that respect. What I don't understand is why they couldn't of had the same system with the old number.
Back to top
 
 
IP Logged
 
loddon
Supreme Member
*****
Offline



Posts: 599
Reading  UK
Gender: male
Re: PETITION to No. 10 - Prevent doctors using 084
Reply #182 - Jul 27th, 2009 at 12:09pm
 
Moggster wrote on Jul 27th, 2009 at 11:54am:
When they switched to the 0844 number, they introduced a queuing system which made things a lot better in that respect. What I don't understand is why they couldn't of had the same system with the old number.


Of course they could have had a queuing facility with the old number.   

My GP Surgery had a very good queuing system on the old 01 number.    Now they have got a much worse system with unnecessary messages and time wasting before, maybe, forwarding you to a queue.   

I cannot help comparing them to the Royal Berkshire Hospital and the University Hospital for Coventry and Warwickshire which are massively bigger than any GP Surgery and yet use 01/02 numbers very successfully.
Back to top
 
Campaignagainstripofftelecoms  
IP Logged
 
SilentCallsVictim
Supreme Member
*****
Offline


aka NHS.Patient, DH_fairtelecoms

Posts: 2,494
Re: PETITION to No. 10 - Prevent doctors using 084
Reply #183 - Jul 27th, 2009 at 4:30pm
 
Some argue that the "network queueing" facility that is readily available with non-geographic numbers, such as 03, offers advantages over the facilities available with geographic numbers. I would therefore always try to avoid getting involved in the geographic vs. non-geographic technical argument.

I see the crucial issue to be that of revenue sharing. 03 numbers address the point of features available with non-geographic numbers, so that the only remaining argument in favour of revenue sharing numbers is that of the funding provided. If someone chooses a 03 number over a geographic number, I am prepared to accept that this is done for sound reasons, as I cannot see any sinister motive.

Whilst some may believe that 03 numbers offer nothing more than geographic anonymity, I would look for more than a few examples to make a point with sufficient force to sustain a strong campaign.
Back to top
 
WWW  
IP Logged
 
loddon
Supreme Member
*****
Offline



Posts: 599
Reading  UK
Gender: male
Re: PETITION to No. 10 - Prevent doctors using 084
Reply #184 - Sep 11th, 2009 at 11:35pm
 
The Petition has now achieved the significant milestone of
40,000
votes and is No. 2 in the overall list of petitions by size!!
Back to top
 
Campaignagainstripofftelecoms  
IP Logged
 
brenmar
Newbie
*
Offline



Posts: 2
Re: PETITION to No. 10 - Prevent doctors using 084
Reply #185 - Sep 12th, 2009 at 10:04am
 
On Monday (14 September) the government will announce that all NHS hospitals are no longer allowed to use premium rate phone numbers.  So good news there. Smiley
Back to top
 
 
IP Logged
 
NGMsGhost
Supreme Member
*****
Offline


The Forum Ghost of NonGeographicalMan<b
r />

Posts: 2,720
Surrey, United Kingdom
Gender: male
Re: PETITION to No. 10 - Prevent doctors using 084
Reply #186 - Sep 13th, 2009 at 11:01am
 
brenmar wrote on Sep 12th, 2009 at 10:04am:
On Monday (14 September) the government will announce that all NHS hospitals are no longer allowed to use premium rate phone numbers.  So good news there. Smiley


But will apparently only announce complete lies and double speak to try to justify the continued use of 0844 numbers by NHS GP Practices that specifically back tracks on the earlier clear commitments of Ben Bradshaw and Alan Johnson. Shocked Angry Smiley
Back to top
« Last Edit: Sep 13th, 2009 at 11:01am by NGMsGhost »  

<div style=
 
IP Logged
 
brenmar
Newbie
*
Offline



Posts: 2
Re: PETITION to No. 10 - Prevent doctors using 084
Reply #187 - Sep 18th, 2009 at 11:52am
 
The DOH issued this on 14 Sept

NHS to ban use of premium rate call charges
14 September 2009 00:01

The use of phone numbers that charge the public or patients a premium rate to contact the NHS are to be banned in England, Health Minister Mike O’Brien announced today.

The announcement follows a recent public consultation on the use of 084 numbers in the NHS. Almost 3,000 members of the public responded, demonstrating the strength of feeling on this issue.

Health Minister Mike O’Brien said:

“We have been concerned that some people are paying more than the cost of a local call rate to contact the NHS.  It is clear from the feedback we have received that patients support the banning of any number or tariff which is more expensive to call.

“For people on low incomes, and for those who need to contact their local doctor or hospital regularly, these costs can soon build up. We want to reassure the public that when they contact their local GP or hospital, the cost of their call will be no more expensive than if they had dialled a normal landline number.”

The Department of Health will work with the British Medical Association’s GP Committee over the coming months to integrate the legislative changes into the GP contracts.

NOTE (EXTRA INFORMATION ALSO FROM THE DOH)

The ban on the use of numbers charging patients a premium rate to call NHS services will allow a marketplace to evolve where 084 numbers compete alongside 01, 02 and 03 numbers, but where patients will pay no more than the cost of a local call. The ban means that GPs and other NHS organisations remain free to use 084 numbers, providing patients are not charged more than a local rate number.


In April 2005, the Department of Health banned the use of premium (0870, 0871 or 09) and national charge rates to call local NHS healthcare services in England. The ban did not extend to other number ranges, as at the time they were not considered ‘premium’ rate.  However, it has now become clear that there are other numbers which can also be more expensive to call than a normal geographical (01 or 02) telephone number.


In December 2006, the Department of Health issued a letter to all Primary Care Trust (PCT) Chief Executives, asking them to consider what actions they needed to take locally to ensure that patients did not pay more than they would if they called a geographical telephone number. It also advised that Ofcom was issuing a new countywide (03) number range, which allows the functionality of a non-geographical number, with the receiver rather than the initiator of the call bearing the extra cost.


The ban will be enforced through proposed changes to the GP contract (in consultation with the British Medical Association’s GP Committee), and the issuing of Directions to NHS PCTs and Trusts. These changes will be put in place as soon as practicable.


It is not our intention to prohibit ‘revenue sharing’ as part of our proposals – the important thing is to ensure that patients are not being made to pay more than the equivalent cost of calling an 01 or 02 number. ‘Revenue-sharing’ arrangements allow for a proportion of the money paid to the supplier to go towards the ongoing cost of running an 084 number, which includes the cost of renting the equipment from the supplier.
Back to top
 
 
IP Logged
 
NGMsGhost
Supreme Member
*****
Offline


The Forum Ghost of NonGeographicalMan<b
r />

Posts: 2,720
Surrey, United Kingdom
Gender: male
Re: PETITION to No. 10 - Prevent doctors using 084
Reply #188 - Sep 18th, 2009 at 12:13pm
 
In other words complete and utter and total economy with the truth of the kind that only New Labour can engage in.

They are conniving with BT to increase the cost of 01/02 calls not in call plans to 5p per minute and then claiming it is only the cost of call to an 0844 number from a customer without an inclusive call plan in the weekday daytime that counts and totally ignoring monstrous charges to 0844 on mobiles, BT payphones and for any landline customer who has an inclusive calls plan that excludes these calls. Shocked Angry Smiley
Back to top
 

<div style=
 
IP Logged
 
Heinz
Supreme Member
*****
Offline



Posts: 1,362
Essex
Re: PETITION to No. 10 - Prevent doctors using 084
Reply #189 - Sep 18th, 2009 at 1:56pm
 
NGMsGhost wrote on Sep 18th, 2009 at 12:13pm:
They are conniving with BT to increase the cost of 01/02 calls not in call plans to 5p per minute and then claiming it is only the cost of call to an 0844 number from a customer without an inclusive call plan in the weekday daytime that counts and totally ignoring monstrous charges to 0844 on mobiles, BT payphones and for any landline customer who has an inclusive calls plan that excludes these calls.

On top of the 'call set-up fee' being increased to 9.02p (which will be 9.25p when the VAT rate reverts to 17.5%), BT has already announced an increase to 5.25p/minute (more than the 5p/minute highest possible cost of an 0844 call) from 1st October.
Back to top
« Last Edit: Sep 18th, 2009 at 2:02pm by Heinz »  

After years of ignoring govt. guidelines & RIPPING OFF Council Tax payers using 0845 numbers, Essex County Council changed to 0345 numbers on 2 November 2015
WWW  
IP Logged
 
NGMsGhost
Supreme Member
*****
Offline


The Forum Ghost of NonGeographicalMan<b
r />

Posts: 2,720
Surrey, United Kingdom
Gender: male
Re: PETITION to No. 10 - Prevent doctors using 084
Reply #190 - Sep 18th, 2009 at 2:38pm
 
Heinz wrote on Sep 18th, 2009 at 1:56pm:
On top of the 'call set-up fee' being increased to 9.02p (which will be 9.25p when the VAT rate reverts to 17.5%), BT has already announced an increase to 5.25p/minute (more than the 5p/minute highest possible cost of an 0844 call) from 1st October.


I expect the price per minute and call set up fee for 0844 calls no doubt increase to precisely the same price on the same date. Wink

I'm amazed that Finarea haven's started advertising their 5p per call 1899/18185 service on radio or tv by now the way things are going with BT's non incusive call charges.
Back to top
« Last Edit: Sep 18th, 2009 at 8:02pm by NGMsGhost »  

<div style=
 
IP Logged
 
SilentCallsVictim
Supreme Member
*****
Offline


aka NHS.Patient, DH_fairtelecoms

Posts: 2,494
Re: PETITION to No. 10 - Prevent doctors using 084
Reply #191 - Sep 18th, 2009 at 5:30pm
 
NGMsGhost wrote on Sep 18th, 2009 at 2:38pm:
I expect the price per minute and call set up fee for 0844 calls no doubt increase to precisely the same price on the same date.

Ofcom still regulates the former (only for BT) which is why it is perversely relatively low and will remain so, whilst this regulation continues. The same is true in respect of the price per minute for 0845 calls from BT (and the "clones" that mirror its tariffs).

It is only market pressure that regulates the latter, along with the terms for ordinary calls. If the majority of consumers prefer inclusive Call Plans then that is what the market will deliver. Minorities need the protection of regulation, unless the market is perfect, which few are.

The limited capacity for regulatory intervention which Ofcom seems content to exercise causes these perverse distortions of the operation of the free market, which sometimes make it difficult for us to put across our points about the inevitable effect of revenue sharing on call costs. Light touch regulation perhaps produces the worst of both possible worlds.

Finarea is only an opportunist, not a true market player; such participation actually distorts unregulated free markets.

New Labour is indeed all in favour of the free market and the empowered consumer (and patient), rather than over-restrictive regulation of the behaviour of telephone companies and GPs. Perhaps one day we will have a government that believes in the truly socialist concept of the NHS, which is funded by taxation (according to ability to pay) and delivered free (according to need). We may also one day have a government that believes in utilities being delivered purely for the benefit of the people and therefore re-nationalised.


These are comments in response to previous postings in this thread, intended to entertain and stimulate thought. They do not lay out any particular position or rounded view. (See my blogs and website for that type of thing.)
Back to top
 
WWW  
IP Logged
 
NGMsGhost
Supreme Member
*****
Offline


The Forum Ghost of NonGeographicalMan<b
r />

Posts: 2,720
Surrey, United Kingdom
Gender: male
Re: PETITION to No. 10 - Prevent doctors using 084
Reply #192 - Sep 18th, 2009 at 8:01pm
 
SilentCallsVictim wrote on Sep 18th, 2009 at 5:30pm:
Finarea is only an opportunist, not a true market player; such participation actually distorts unregulated free markets.)


That is a highly opinionated view that clearly only reflects your own personal prejudices.

Finarea have been offering telephone services on UK landlines using Indirect Access codes for several years and their call quality is normally good (with the exception of barking dogs incident which has never recurred) and their billing accurate.  It is true their customer service leaves something to be desired but then so does that of BT, Sky or Talktalk.

Perhaps you can tell us what it is necessary to do as a telecoms supplier to pass the SCV "true market player" test.
Back to top
« Last Edit: Sep 19th, 2009 at 5:04am by NGMsGhost »  

<div style=
 
IP Logged
 
SilentCallsVictim
Supreme Member
*****
Offline


aka NHS.Patient, DH_fairtelecoms

Posts: 2,494
Re: PETITION to No. 10 - Prevent doctors using 084
Reply #193 - Sep 19th, 2009 at 12:26am
 
NGMsGhost wrote on Sep 18th, 2009 at 8:01pm:
Perhaps you can tell us what it is necessary to do as a telecoms supplier to pass the SCV "true market player" test.

Forgive me if I am mistaken, however I understand that this company only offers a limited range of services. Those where it can undercut the players who provide the full range of services and carry overheads such as customer service and marketing.

That is not to say that there is anything wrong with this per se, my only point was that such intervention distorts a wider market. I am not an economist, I cannot propose a formal test to provide a comprehensive defintion of what is a "true player", however use of indirect access codes provides a useful distinction.

Distortion of the market is tested by the ease with which one may answer questions such as "what is the price of an airline ticket from London to Glasgow?", is it £1 or £200? Telecoms has not quite reached that level of distortion, however similar principles apply.
Back to top
 
WWW  
IP Logged
 
NGMsGhost
Supreme Member
*****
Offline


The Forum Ghost of NonGeographicalMan<b
r />

Posts: 2,720
Surrey, United Kingdom
Gender: male
Re: PETITION to No. 10 - Prevent doctors using 084
Reply #194 - Sep 19th, 2009 at 5:04am
 
SilentCallsVictim wrote on Sep 19th, 2009 at 12:26am:
Distortion of the market is tested by the ease with which one may answer questions such as "what is the price of an airline ticket from London to Glasgow?", is it £1 or £200? Telecoms has not quite reached that level of distortion, however similar principles apply.


But a 120 minute weekday daytime call to an 01/02/03 number with BT for anyone on the Weekend Calls Plan will shortly cost them over £6 and a 120 minute call with 18185 will cost 5p.  A factor of 120 to 1.  So this sounds to me like a similar level of what you would call "distortion" but I call a sign of a fully functioning and competitive marketplace to your airline example.

My idea of distortion is when everyone's cost for the price of line rental is no more than 10% different on an already very expensive rate or when BT is able to bundle in Caller Display for free with its line rental but nobody else in the marketplace can even begin to compete with them on this.
Back to top
 

<div style=
 
IP Logged
 
Pages: 1 ... 11 12 13 14 15 16
Send Topic Print
(Moderators: DaveM, Forum Admin, CJT-80, bbb_uk, Dave)

Website and Content © 1999-2024 SAYNOTO0870.COM. All Rights Reserved. (DE)
Written permission is required to duplicate any of the content within this site.

WARNING: This is an open forum, posts are NOT endorsed by SAYNOTO0870.COM,
please exercise due caution when acting on any info from here.


SAYNOTO0870.COM » Powered by YaBB 2.5.2!
YaBB Forum Software © 2000-2024. All Rights Reserved.


Valid RSS Valid XHTML Valid CSS Powered by Perl Source Forge