GP switched to an 0844 number!

starlite_2

I am horrified at this.
It is an nhs surgery, and I have just looked it up and discovered that they actually make money on calls to this number.
Not only that but they now have a lengthy message when you call followed by a 'press #1 for, press #2' for system.

Surely this shouldn't be allowed?

vikingaero

0844 numbers are local calls and roughly 5p per minute, so they probably only make enough to cover their phone system and a part time telephonist.

Have you asked them why they've done it? Maybe it's vanity and the number spells 0844 DOCTOR or something?

JohalaReewi

They have probably signed up to Surgery Line

http://www.networkeuropegroup.com/neg_surgery_line/index.html

Problem with 0844 numbers is that from non BT landlines, they can be expensive and AFAIK, you can't call 0844 from outside the UK (which means you can't phone your doctor while you are overseas). Perhaps you can ask the surgery for an overseas access number?

As for revenue, from the Surgery Line website...
You and your staff benefit
When a surgery switches to an 084 number, NEG will install and maintain the most efficient communications system on the market. You specify exactly what equipment you want to receive (from handsets to switchboards) for no extra charge. With your own 084 number, you keep about 2p from every call to re-invest in your practice, instead of BT making all the profit from calls to your surgery.

JohalaReewi

vikingaero wrote: »

0844 numbers are local calls and roughly 5p per minute,...

Not local but Lo-Call.
You can phone normal 01/02 numbers for a lot less than 5p a minute, even using BT during the day. 0844 does not benefit the caller over a 01/02 number. It does benefit the callee because they get a whizzo phone system free and some dosh.

Bufflowbill

vikingaero wrote: »

0844 numbers are local calls and roughly 5p per minute, so they probably only make enough to cover their phone system and a part time telephonist.

Have you asked them why they've done it? Maybe it's vanity and the number spells 0844 DOCTOR or something?

Local Calls were abolished ages ago. 01/02 calls are now charged at the same rate wherever your calling.

0844 5p a minute is nothing but a low premium rate number.

JohalaReewi

Bufflowbill wrote: »

Local Calls were abolished ages ago. 01/02 calls are now charged at the same rate wherever your calling.

Well yes and no.

BT moved everybody who was still on the standard rate onto Option 1 (or whatever) which has only the one rate for all geographic calls. However, there are still a number of old tariffs (not available to new customers) that still have Local and National rates so technically they do exist and I guess that somewhere, there might be somebody still on these tariffs.

You can have a rummage around at...
http://www.serviceview.bt.com/list/public/zdocs/Cust_Opts_Res_boo.zip

moonrakerz

I thought that the Dept Of Health had banned surgeries from moving away from geographic numbers after some moved to 0870.

starlite_2

surely 0870 is fine? At least they don't make money from those calls.
It's just yet another cost to add to the many roundabout ways of subsidising the nhs.
We pay enough in taxes which just ends up bing spent on entirely useless or outright outrageous things.
It is just terrible that we now are charged more just to call our G.P.

JohalaReewi

moonrakerz wrote: »

I thought that the Dept Of Health had banned surgeries from moving away from geographic numbers after some moved to 0870.

Nope. They chickened out and said 0845 and 0844 were OK.

JohalaReewi

starlite wrote: »

surely 0870 is fine? At least they don't make money from those calls....

Wrong. 0870 is also a revenue generating number so somebody along the line is making lots of money from them. If you have an 0870 number and aren't getting revenue from it, you are being ripped off as well as the person calling you.

moonrakerz

JohalaReewi wrote: »

Nope. They chickened out and said 0845 and 0844 were OK.

B****y typical !