084 Prefixed Numbers banned in the NHS
Charging more than the cost of a local call for dialling a 0844 Number in order to contact GPs or any other part of the NHS will be banned in England.
Other premium rate and national rate numbers were banned in 2005 but this did not cover the 084 numbers which also cost more than a local call.
Money generated from the 0844 Numbers can be used to offset the costs of running the phone line, known as revenue sharing.
The lines mean callers can be put in a queue instead of hearing an engaged tone and can navigate through the system by following prompts.
A public consultation on the use of 0844 Numbers led to more than 3,000 responses.
Health Minister Mike O’Brien said: “We have been concerned that some people are paying more than the cost of a local call rate to contact the NHS. It is clear from the feedback we have received that patients support the banning of any number or tariff which is more expensive to call.
“For people on low incomes, and for those who need to contact their local doctor or hospital regularly, these costs can soon build up. We want to reassure the public that when they contact their local GP or hospital, the cost of their call will be no more expensive than if they had dialled a normal landline number.”
The use of 084 numbers can continue but callers must not be charged more than the equivalent local call rate.
The Department of Health wants to include the changes in the legislative changes into the GP contracts.
Dr Richard Vautrey, Deputy Chairman of the BMA’s GPs Committee, said: “Patients who call their surgery because they’re ill shouldn’t be penalised because they have to call an 084 number, so we’re pleased that the phone companies who supply these lines to practices have agreed to ensure that their tariffs are in line with local charges.
“There are many added benefits that telephone systems using these numbers have and which patients find helpful, for example better and quicker access, so it’s good to see that the government has recognised this and has not gone for a complete ban on the use of these numbers. Combining the benefits of 084 numbers with an assurance that they won’t cost more than a local phone call is the best solution for patients and practices.
“We’d also like to see more phone companies include 084 numbers in the comprehensive call packages they offer customers to increase the benefit for patients. Calling these numbers should be treated no differently from calling other geographic numbers.”
Katherine Murphy, Director of the Patients Association said “It’s great that the Department of Health have listened to patients. Asking them to pay extra costs for phone calls was unreasonable. Patients have had to wait long enough for the ruling-let’s hope the change happens as quickly as possible.”
Alternatively the new 03 Numbers, which allow the same functions of holding callers in a queue and others, but without the extra cost, can be used by the NHS, ministers said. The organisation receiving the call bears the cost of providing the extra functions instead of charging more for the call.
The NHS Direct telephone advice service currently operates on 0845 4647 but discussions are being held on replacing this with a new three digit urgent care number.
The current NHS Direct number will continue until its replacement has been decided.
Other premium rate and national rate numbers were banned in 2005 but this did not cover the 084 numbers which also cost more than a local call.
Money generated from the 0844 Numbers can be used to offset the costs of running the phone line, known as revenue sharing.
The lines mean callers can be put in a queue instead of hearing an engaged tone and can navigate through the system by following prompts.
A public consultation on the use of 0844 Numbers led to more than 3,000 responses.
Health Minister Mike O’Brien said: “We have been concerned that some people are paying more than the cost of a local call rate to contact the NHS. It is clear from the feedback we have received that patients support the banning of any number or tariff which is more expensive to call.
“For people on low incomes, and for those who need to contact their local doctor or hospital regularly, these costs can soon build up. We want to reassure the public that when they contact their local GP or hospital, the cost of their call will be no more expensive than if they had dialled a normal landline number.”
The use of 084 numbers can continue but callers must not be charged more than the equivalent local call rate.
The Department of Health wants to include the changes in the legislative changes into the GP contracts.
Dr Richard Vautrey, Deputy Chairman of the BMA’s GPs Committee, said: “Patients who call their surgery because they’re ill shouldn’t be penalised because they have to call an 084 number, so we’re pleased that the phone companies who supply these lines to practices have agreed to ensure that their tariffs are in line with local charges.
“There are many added benefits that telephone systems using these numbers have and which patients find helpful, for example better and quicker access, so it’s good to see that the government has recognised this and has not gone for a complete ban on the use of these numbers. Combining the benefits of 084 numbers with an assurance that they won’t cost more than a local phone call is the best solution for patients and practices.
“We’d also like to see more phone companies include 084 numbers in the comprehensive call packages they offer customers to increase the benefit for patients. Calling these numbers should be treated no differently from calling other geographic numbers.”
Katherine Murphy, Director of the Patients Association said “It’s great that the Department of Health have listened to patients. Asking them to pay extra costs for phone calls was unreasonable. Patients have had to wait long enough for the ruling-let’s hope the change happens as quickly as possible.”
Alternatively the new 03 Numbers, which allow the same functions of holding callers in a queue and others, but without the extra cost, can be used by the NHS, ministers said. The organisation receiving the call bears the cost of providing the extra functions instead of charging more for the call.
The NHS Direct telephone advice service currently operates on 0845 4647 but discussions are being held on replacing this with a new three digit urgent care number.
The current NHS Direct number will continue until its replacement has been decided.
Labels: 03 numbers, 0844 numbers, NHS
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