GP using 0844 number - should this be allowed?

[seftonview]

There are a few things you could do:-

1. Freedom of Information Act request for the direct geographical number;
2. Complaint to practice manager;
3. Complaint to MP;
4. Involve local press;
5. Sign up for 0871 number to give to your GP, giving you a profit of 3p/min when he calls you.

SV

[gyzmo]

I have complained to the practice manager to no avail. I have alos suggested that they use the new 0300 number. Email was sent to press who said it is not newsworthy and my GP never calls me.

I think I will follow up on 3. I dont want to go down the route of 1. Surgeries are busy enough as it is, and I feel wrong in deluding them in paperwork.

[NHSPatient]

Many MPs have signed Early Day Motions as a way of expressing concern about this matter.

EDM 108 in the current session

EDM 1989 in the previous session


The issue was also covered in a debate last Thursday. There are links to the relevant contributions and some personal comments here - Debate on access to primary care 16 Oct 2008

There is a wealth of information on the NHS Patient Web Page