A piece has just been published on the website of the Pulse:

MP urges GPs to stop use of 0844 numbers

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As well as the call back policy, the PCT seems to think that practices are prevented from changing numbers because they are tied into contracts for which there are penalties for ending early. There is no need to end a contract early; phone companies allow numbers to be changed during the period of contracts and without penalty. Should any system provider choose to deviate from this, and charge a penalty for switching numbers, then this is pivotal. Where this is the case, then it is system providers that are preventing practices from not charging more than a geographic call.

This PCT and others are failing in their duty by incorrectly accepting that being tied into a contract means that a phone number can't be changed.

catj wrote on Aug 22^nd, 2012 at 11:04pm:

I expect it's a mixture of not having a clue and knowing that the operation of an 03 number will cost GPs a small amount more than an 01 or 02 number (and, obviously an 084 number).

I listened to the broadcast linked above and is appears that the BMA guy is sympathetic and agreed that GPs should not be using 0844 and upto 25 taking on 0844 since the ban although I take his amazment that this is still going on with a big pinch of salt. If the BMA dont know what their own GPs are doing what are they doing in that Job. Are the BMA so out of touch with the Media - I know they have been advised of the option for 03 but are still pretending that it doesn't exist. 

What was more depressing was that as the very end of the broadcast the Interviewer said I believe that all those GPs that they contacted were going to change to 020 numbers shortly, but dont hold your breath - they have ignored the 03 Option since being available in 2007 so why not change right now instead of 'Shortly'

I am afraid once again a opportunity to ask the BMA why hasn't there been immediate 03 Migration - not Fairtelecom's fault as the 2 interviews were seperate so no real opportunity to ask that question.

What is urgently needed right now is a big National Paper and Media campaigne asking WHY HAVENT ALL GPs GONE TO 0344 and DO IT NOW !!!!  With the added line SHAME ON YOU 

I am thinking of getting onto the Kent Messenger to see if they might play ball 

bigjohn wrote on Aug 25^th, 2012 at 4:40am:


Mine is still in the 11% group


http://www.holbrooksurgery.com/

catj wrote on Aug 25^th, 2012 at 7:40pm:

As promised, a recording of the item has been published.

It is available at this link.

Unfortunately there was a delay in delivering this as the standard viewer I use (hosted by Virgin Media) was taken offline for a lengthy period. This outage affected other online facilities for myself and many other Virgin Media customers.

Alternative arrangements are being made with a more reliable provider. Shortcut links already in use will be redirected.

The temporary fix which was in place for a period should no longer be used.

Hi I have contacted Dan Jarvis "My Local MP for Barnsley Central" on a number of occassions and he has been cooperating with me.

Does anybody have the latest figures on the number of surgeries still using 08 numbers in the Barnsley area, if so I will contact him in this regard.

Northgate Village Surgery

Northgate Avenue   Chester   CH2 2DX

http://www.northgatesurgery.co.uk

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