25 February 2005
The Department of Health is to ban GP practices from using national rate telephone numbers, following complaints from patients.
Under a deal offered by phone company Network Europe Group (NEG), 300 GP practices have received a bespoke telephone system, which the company says is self-funding. Patients dial an 0870 number to reach their GP surgery and NEG takes a slice of the additional call charge.
But a DoH spokesman said: 'We are investigating with a view to banning national rate numbers so that… companies don't profit from people seeking to access local health services.'
As yet, it is unclear whether the DoH will be able to prevent the 300 practices using the number. Richard Chapman, NEG's chief executive, told PF he was negotiating with the DoH and he had developed a 'low call' option to offer the NHS.
He defended the system, saying 96% of callers get through to their surgery first time. 'Patients don't spend any more money calling this service.
'Although the cost per minute is higher than a local call, patients spend half as much time on the phone,' he added.
PFfeb2005
