Rotherham GPs told to review phoneline charges

PATIENTS left feeling sick by the cost of phoning their local surgery will be boosted by the news that GPs could be forced to slash call rates.

NHS Rotherham has told surgeries to review their phone packages to ensure that callers are not fleeced when they need advice or an appointment.

Thirty medical centres—almost two thirds of all those in the borough—use 0845 numbers, with varying charges depending on what individual GPs have agreed.

“First and foremost I disagree with patients having to pay to profit-making phonelines at doctors’ surgeries,” said Martin Dennis (45), a patient at Clifton Medical Centre.

“On a queuing system it just exacerbates the problem, which is what happens at busy times.

“People might not realise the costs or question it and if you’re desperate for help, then you'll phone anyway.

“It's like drowning man syndrome. If your worst enemy walks past and throws you a rope, you grab it.”

Fourteen surgeries still use Rotherham, Sheffield or Worksop dial codes, and the others use 0844, which is charged at the same rate.

Under Department of Health guidance, the primary care trust has asked all medical centres to make sure that calls do not rise above the cost of ringing local numbers.

Kath Atkinson, director of strategic planning at NHS Rotherham, said: “Access to primary care is an important issue for NHS Rotherham.

“In line with the Department of Health’s announcement that it will be prohibiting the use of telephone numbers which charge the patient above the cost of a local call, NHS Rotherham will be asking all Rotherham GP practices to review their call packages with their telecoms suppliers.

“GP surgeries will still be able to use 0844 and 0845 numbers, providing that patients are not charged more than the equivalent cost of calling a local number to do so.

“However, the costs of these calls may vary depending on the callers own call package or if they are using a mobile phone.

“The use of the 0845 number also allows patients to make a single phone call when their GP practice is closed as calls are automatically re-routed from their practice to the GP out of hours service.

“This removes the need for patients to make and be charged for two separate phone calls.”