Doctors Surgeries told to stop using 0844 Numbers.

NonGeographicalMan

patchwork_cat wrote: »

The only other surgery that will cover our area is 5 miles away. Why does one 5 miles away cover us, but one 3/4 mile doesn't? So we are stuck with a doctor that thinks it is morally OK to fleece their patients - and they wonder why I have lost trust in their ability to care for my and my families health!!

Have you complained to the Chief Executive and all Board members of the PCT about the arbitrary nature of these boundaries and also pointed out explicitly that the reason you want to move is due to the rip off phone number used by your current doctor?

I would try and get this in your local newspaper (they love a story like this - eg patient not allowed to transfer to most convenient NHS surgery by loony PCT rules) and go and see your MP about it. The fact that these GPs can regard patients as being like slaves who must do as they are told is quite ridiculous.

Also how about BBC Radio 4 You and Yours. They love this kind of story about doctors refusing to let their patients change surgery etc.

agnes_2

I have recently learned from a very good source that the government are supposed to be intervening in the saynoto 0870, this August, supposedly to put a stop to it, and it seems that in order for these greedy moneymaking people to keep their extra loot, they are systematically changing to 0844 numbers under the guise of it only being local rates?
I have spent hours attempting to ring "Makro UK" on various numbers shown on the "Saynoto 0870" site which I use on a daily basis, I will never use the 0870, 0845, 0844, numbers if humanly possible as all my UK land line numbers are free !! Anyway as with many companies Makro automatic response tells you that the number has changed to 0844... thus preventing you from speaking to your local branch as we have done for the last 20 odd years.
MARTIN LEWIS where are you on this latest scam by these people including the BBC, Doctors, Police, and other emergency services ??? what can be done.

I-LOV-MONEY

Some time ago my mother's surgery changed to a 0844 number. One day, while I was waiting for a prescription, I saw a notice on the wall giving the direct lines to the doctors, the Practice Manager, the Nurse. However as the numbers were in sequence starting from 8xxx 8081 ... I decided to try 8080 when I got home. Yes, that put me through to the surgery and the menu you would get if you had dialled the 0844 number. The receptionist is none the wiser when they get to answer your call, "you are at number ... 3" !

So the moral is, look out for any receptionist notes while you are there.

If anyone does want the Station Road (Hendon)* surgery number, it is on the 'SayNoTo0870' database. (* now renamed Jai Medical Centre)

JohalaReewi

Article on the BBC website...
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7783963.stm

And have your say...
http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?forumID=5814&edition=1&ttl=20081217123056

kitdafos

I was always a little troubled by this trend, but found there was little leverage to persuade them to change - until now. I was unfortunate to have someone in my family fall ill whist on holiday, in the US. I and they (the Hospital) needed to contact my sons doctor and the number was not reachable outside the UK.

Terrific!

PS. However the NHS is far superior to the US private medical system in every way. The NHS has its moments but on the whole we should be proud.

JustPassingBy

kitdafos wrote: »

I was always a little troubled by this trend, but found there was little leverage to persuade them to change - until now. I was unfortunate to have someone in my family fall ill whist on holiday, in the US. I and they (the Hospital) needed to contact my sons doctor and the number was not reachable outside the UK.

Terrific!.

You have raised a very important point and it would be interesting to know how your medical practice reacted when told of your experience. Blaming the inadequacy of the telephone system may be one line of defence but knowing calls to geographic numbers are almost certain to succeed counters it.

noelster

Dear all, this is an interesting one as the doctors are under contract for 0844 as they all received "free" telephone systems on 7 year leases, unless the Government is prepared to fine/sue them (difficult in practice) then it is not really workable, the GP has not knowingly misled the public but GP's should move towards 03 numbers, see .intelesis.co.uk/03-VirtualUK08.php

HAMMYLIV

Well my GP is still using an 0845 number! ! I am up in Scotland and I cannot find an alternative number anywhere!

qbjb

The one consolation for you is that several companies give free 0845 and 0870 calls but NEVER 0844 or 0871 numbers and I'm stuck with an 0844 doctor :mad: - and I'm so livid I phone my chemist to order repeat prescriptions!!

Heinz

qbjb wrote: »

I'm stuck with an 0844 doctor :mad: - and I'm so livid I phone my chemist to order repeat prescriptions!!

My GP has a geographical number - but I use the internet to order repeat prescriptions.