Doctors phone line use reviewed.

[BritBrat]

Could I ask members to respond to the consultation on the use of 084* numbers to access the doctors and hospitals, 084 numbers cost more than 01, 02 and 03 National rate calls.

More information in the news:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7783963.stm

Ofcom: The 03 alternative to revenue-sharing numbers

Questions for callers to the NHS
Q1
Do you agree with the principle that people should not be charged more than the cost of a local rate call to access NHS services by telephone?

Q2
As a patient or carer calling the NHS, would you prefer to call a telephone number that has extra functions? (See page 5)

(Page 5 of the consultation document includes the following explanation:
What are the extra functions provided by 084 numbers?
084 numbers provide several extra functions, including allowing a caller to:

be held in a queue, so ending the problem of getting an engaged tone;

access a push-button choice of options that can be used to route calls, for example to appointments, repeat prescriptions or a practice nurse;

be redirected to other locations or other services such as out-of-hours services; or

access automated booking and appointment systems.


Is there another way to provide the extra functions?
Yes, 03 numbers were introduced by Ofcom in 2007 as an alternative to non-geographical numbers such as 084 numbers. 03 numbers offer the same extra functions as 084 numbers but are charged at the same rate as a call to a local number. However, a charge is levied on the person or organisation receiving the call. )

If your answer to Q2 is Yes:
• Which functions do you value most when calling a telephone number such as 084, which has enhanced functions?
• Why do you value these functions?
• Who do you think should pay the additional cost of providing this type of telephone system in the NHS?

If your answer to Q2 is No:
• What are your main reasons for not liking these functions?

Q3
The Government is considering banning the use of 084 numbers in the NHS where the cost to the patient is greater than calling a local geographical number. Do you think they should be banned?
Please give your reasons.

Any other comments?
Please use the space below for any additional comments that you would like to include.

http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Consultations/Liveconsultations/DH_091879

Only takes a few minutes so click the link below and send them an Email:

Email: 084consultation@dh.gsi.gov.uk

[nettie_b]

Originally Posted by BritBrat

Could I ask members to respond to the consultation on the use of 084* numbers to access the doctors and hospitals, 084 numbers cost more than 01, 02 and 03 National rate calls.

More information in the news:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7783963.stm

Questions for callers to the NHS
Q1
Do you agree with the principle that people should not be charged more than the cost of a local rate call to access NHS services by telephone?

Q2
As a patient or carer calling the NHS, would you prefer to call a telephone number that has extra functions? (See page 5)

(Page 5 of the consultation document includes the following explanation:
What are the extra functions provided by 084 numbers?
084 numbers provide several extra functions, including allowing a caller to:

be held in a queue, so ending the problem of getting an engaged tone;

access a push-button choice of options that can be used to route calls, for example to appointments, repeat prescriptions or a practice nurse;

be redirected to other locations or other services such as out-of-hours services; or

access automated booking and appointment systems.


Is there another way to provide the extra functions?
Yes, 03 numbers were introduced by Ofcom in 2007 as an alternative to non-geographical numbers such as 084 numbers. 03 numbers offer the same extra functions as 084 numbers but are charged at the same rate as a call to a local number. However, a charge is levied on the person or organisation receiving the call. )

If your answer to Q2 is Yes:
• Which functions do you value most when calling a telephone number such as 084, which has enhanced functions?
• Why do you value these functions?
• Who do you think should pay the additional cost of providing this type of telephone system in the NHS?

If your answer to Q2 is No:
• What are your main reasons for not liking these functions?

Q3
The Government is considering banning the use of 084 numbers in the NHS where the cost to the patient is greater than calling a local geographical number. Do you think they should be banned?
Please give your reasons.

Any other comments?
Please use the space below for any additional comments that you would like to include.

Only takes a few minutes so click the link below and send them an Email:

Email: 084consultation@dh.gsi.gov.uk

my eyes are still bleary so am struggling with this one.

Q1 - NO I DONT AGREE!

Q2 - I would prefer to speak direct to a person.

I will answer this and later and will direct it around the practice. We are considered a central manchseter practice and we've just had a new telephone system installed where you have options to wait or press 1, 2,3 ect for prescriptions, results and appointments. A few members of staff have been given direct phone numbers so patients dont have to go through switch (manager, secretary, IT)!!

and GUESS WHAT? all this with a normal 0161 number!! Modern technology is amazing but ppl should not be greedy, lots of us use mobiles and get free time allowance which doesn't include 084 numbers!! My registered practice is 084 and it ticks me off something rotten!

[angel,dust]

my doctors has a system where you press 1 for prescriptions 2 for appointment etc etc and its a normal telephone number (just like a home phone iyswim) with area code etc.
I think its terrible all these services are doing this

[DIVA1977]

what am i suppose to be doing and where, btw i dont use outlook express

[BritBrat]

Originally Posted by DIVA1977

what am i suppose to be doing and where, btw i dont use outlook express

I do not want to tell people what to say but this is the sort of thing I replied:

There will be confusion as there is hardly anyone using Local rate these days as BT removed it many years ago and the only customers on it now are those on benefits and on a low cost BT line rental.

The use of local rates is what makes everything confusing, remember when there were National rates but if you dialled a local number two streets away it was cheaper well now they are all National Rates.

Q1
Do you agree with the principle that people should not be charged more than the cost of a local rate call to access NHS services by telephone?

People should not be charged more than a National rate number. (01, 02 and 03)

Q2
As a patient or carer calling the NHS, would you prefer to call a telephone number that has extra functions? (See page 5)

I said Yes but this can be done with a National Rate number.

If your answer to Q2 is Yes:

• Which functions do you value most when calling a telephone number such as 084, which has enhanced functions?
• Why do you value these functions?
• Who do you think should pay the additional cost of providing this type of telephone system in the NHS?

You do NOT have to use 084 numbers to have a menu system.
I like to be put through to the correct department.
I like not having to keep redialling (held in a cue), but who wants to be in a cue at a premium rate?
It should not cost the patient anything above the National Rate.
Additional cost should be born buy the practice and not the patient.

Q3
The Government is considering banning the use of 084 numbers in the NHS where the cost to the patient is greater than calling a local geographical number. Do you think they should be banned?
Please give your reasons.

YES, they should be banned as they are very costly, and as many TV shows say now "And using Mobiles can cost considerably more"

Then Email it to: 084consultation@dh.gsi.gov.uk

[Becles]

Normal numbers are included in minutes on mobile and home phone packages, so the call can be free. However you can't use your minute allowance on 084 numbers so will be charged for the call.

Our doctors have a habit of picking up the phone and saying "just putting you on hold" before you get a chance to speak. I'd be annoyed if they did that and I was paying for the call!

[nettie_b]

apparently new telephone systems for gp practices are over 15K so you get private companies saying that they will install and the practice can rent but it has to be an 084 number. the practice dont get any money - just the company as they install cheap and rent out cheap to surgeries. However the length of the contract is that long that the surgery ends up paying about 25k in total for the phone system.

luckily our practice manager does think of the patients - so didnt use this option. She did ask the private company if they could install a phone system for 7.5K and she was laughed at - we did however, get it for this.

[BritBrat]

It is not just the NHS but if we can get them to ban the use of 084 numbers and use 03 numbers other goverment departments may also change.

And if you do not think the goverment make money from 0845 numbers here are some facts:

The DWP received £268,000 in 2005/2006 through the 0845 telephone numbers it uses for benefit claimants to contact them, according to information released following a Freedom of Information (FOI) Act request by a Derbyshire unemployed workers group.

And that is from the unemployed and disabled people on benefits.

As a side note:

I have a 0844 number but I only give it to companies who also use 084 numbers, sort of consumer revenge.