I seem to remember some years ago, when talking to a BT engineer, he said when they tested customers lines the dialled a number before dialling a number so the customer was not charged for the test calls. Now here's a thought, if this is indeed true, how can we find out what this number is and then we could use this before the disgraceful 08 numbers that we dial. Perhaps this would be illeagle, but would the telephone companies sue for a few pence?...Just an idea.

Martin_rosen wrote on Aug 22^nd, 2007 at 8:00am:
17070 - still works (option 1 [ringback] and option 2 [quiet line test] can be used by anyone).  That's from your own line though.

Obviously this is not a method to choose but.....
If an emergency call was made from that number, the operator would read your number to the appropriate service.
Don't do, just trust me until the time is right.

Therefore it might work if you were to ring customer services, usually 150 and ask them to confirm the number you are dialling from, assuming it's not withheld.

HORSHAM'S Courtyard Surgery is the latest to switch to the new controversial 0844 numbers.

Park Surgery has already moved to the new system, which was the subject of a number of complaints.

Initially major technical faults disconnected callers trying to contact medical experts, and engineers were forced to carry out emergency repairs.

In addition, residents launched a district-wide protest about the costs of the new system, as 0844 numbers are charged at 4.96p a minute.

Further issues arose when a local expert revealed that the system could queue an indefinite amount of people, and each heard a 'ringing' tone, instead of the 'engaged' that callers would have previously heard had lines been busy.

Park Surgery limits the system to 50 people at any one time, which means that callers were potentially paying to queue against each other.

Explaining the reasons for going ahead with the new system, Janet Yeo,
practice manager at Courtyard Surgery, said: "We are keen to stress to our patients that, despite what has been reported in some news articles, we will not be making a profit from our new phone system.

"It has been introduced solely to ease problems with call congestion.
"Call costs have also been exaggerated and misrepresented and we would like to assure our patients that it should cost them around the same to call the surgery with the new system."

She said the new numbers were charged at a 'lo-call' rate, equivalent to BT's standard rate of 4.226 pence per minute (4.96 with VAT), making the cost of a four-minute call less than 20 pence.

To make the changeover as smooth as possible, any patients who dial the old numbers in error will hear a recording with details of the new number that they need to call.

Out of interest, what was the programme that it was on?

sx51alx wrote on Sep 10^th, 2007 at 2:38pm:

Sadly the sick are an easy pray for these vultures and with the NHS they have just the hugest captive audience.

The Hospital in Horsham has not long ago installed a parking system.   Never used to have much of a problem finding a space before.   Now the general public has to drive around for hours waiting for one of the few spaces left available for public/patient use to become free  (all the rest having been reserved for Blue Badge holders - whoever they are).   Then they expect you to buy a ticket in Advance, based on how long you're going to be .......   Don't they know this is the NHS, where the word Patient takes on a new significance.    How can anyone foretell how long they're likely to be ?   Sorry Mr Doctor , now that you've got round to seeing me at last, could you just wait while I pop out and renew my parking ticket....   I don't think so - I'd be more inclined to run the risk of the £60 penalty for overstaying than risk my health & waste the doctor's time like that.

Did anyone see the Doctor on this mornings TV standing proudly in front of his prominently displayed 0845 ...number, whilst extollng the virtues of opening evenings & weekends?
Don't remember which channel, but one of the 4 terrestrials.