Quote:We are aware there is a lot of confusion in the marketplace about non-geographical telephone numbers, such as those starting with 0844, and the status of these numbers with regard to phone services within GP surgeries.
As far as I can see, most of the confusion appears to stem from incorrect information issued by NEG/Daisy in the last 5 or 6 years.
Quote:As a valued customer of Surgery Line, we’d like to take this opportunity to set the record straight and provide you with the facts behind the confusion.
Based on the previous record of NEG/Daisy, this won't be facts, but instead will be a whole load of incorrect information.
Quote:FACTS ABOUT 0844 NUMBERS:
• 0844 numbers are not premium rate numbers.
0844 numbers
are premium rate numbers (small "p").
0844 numbers are not "Premium" (capital "P") like the Premium Rate Services using 09, 0871, 0872, 0873 and 070 numbers.
0844 numbers are however, "premium rate" (small "p") in as much as the caller pays a "surcharge" or "premium" which is passed to the service provider. They are also "premium" in that for most phone users they "cost more" than calling 01, 02 and 03 numbers. The 0844 numbers are also not included in "inclusive" call allowances.
Quote:• The use of 0844 numbers within the NHS is not banned, provided that surgeries are satisfied that “having regard to the arrangement as a whole, persons will not pay more to make relevant calls to the practice than they would to make equivalent calls to a geographical number.”
Since 0844 numbers cost more to call than 01, 02 and 03 numbers from most landlines and from most mobiles, 0844 numbers are BANNED in the NHS (see below). They would still be banned even if it was only "some" landline and/or "some" mobile users that "pay more" when calling 0844 numbers.
Quote:• The cost of calling an 0844 number depends on the individual patient’s call package or ‘bundle’ for landline and mobile calls and is not necessarily more expensive than calling a geographical number.
0844 numbers cost 25 to 41 pence per minute from mobile phones and are never included within "inclusive minutes" or "bundled" allowances. Where people have "inclusive" minutes in their mobile or landline deal this effectively makes their calls to 01, 02 and 03 numbers "free". For pay-as-you-go users, the per-minute rate for 0844 numbers is higher than for 01 and 02 numbers. This means that calls to 0844 numbers "cost more" than 01 and 02 numbers and so 0844 numbers are BANNED in the NHS.
The ruling is that for all patients the call must not cost more than an 01 or 02 number on the same price plan, at the same time of day, so the GP must use an 01 or 02 number - or an 03 number (03 numbers are charged at the same rate as 01 and 02 numbers and "inclusive minutes" also apply).
Quote:Under many landline packages such calls are in fact cheaper and we would be happy to discuss these with you if that would be helpful.
Calls to 0844 numbers cost 5 to 15 pence per minute from landlines. Calls to 01, 02 and 03 numbers cost NOTHING for the vast majority of patients as they fall within their "inclusive minutes" bundle. 0844 numbers never appear within call bundles, "cost more" than 01 and 02 numbers and therefore 0844 numbers are BANNED in the NHS.
The ruling is that for all patients the call must not cost more than an 01 or 02 number on the same price plan, at the same time of day, so the GP must use an 01 or 02 number - or an 03 number (03 numbers are charged at the same rate as 01 and 02 numbers and "inclusive minutes" also apply).
Quote:• ‘Using an 0844 number can help a GP practice to offer additional services that improve patients’ access to care’ - according to Simon Burns, Minister for Health (Jan 2012).
Irrelevant. The rulings cover call "price" not call queueing facilities. In any case, 03 numbers also offer the same call management facilities.
Quote:• Surgery Line offers the option of additional lines alongside 0844 numbers - including geographical numbers starting 01 and 02 and 03.
Once it is established that 0844 numbers "cost more" the only remedy is to change to an 01, 02 or 03 number and it is not at all appropriate to continue usage of the 0844 number.
Some GPs claim to offer a "better service" if you call the 0844 number and a "reduced quality of service" if you call the geographic number. Offering a "two tier" service depending on the patient paying "more" is NOT allowed.
Quote:We take compliance extremely seriously. This is why Surgery Line works with independent bodies that regularly review call charges and regulatory updates . We provide practices like yours with regular factsheets to help you understand the latest compliance issues.
If this were true, GPs would no longer be using premium rate 0844 numbers.
Quote:At Surgery Line we offer our customers access to the support of a large team with knowledge and understanding of the healthcare sector, to ensure you offer the best possible service for your patients at all times.
Marketing drivel.
Quote:Surgery Line is now under the ownership of Daisy Group plc, a market leader in business telecommunications, giving you the backing and peace of mind of a major national organisation, and the reassurance of a name you can trust.
I personally don't trust them one bit. I've read too much of their garbage like that debunked above.
(cont'd...)
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GPs all over England (not just in South Yorkshire) (Read 946,716 times)
