A PSNC statement reads: ‘Many low income families now use mobile phones instead of landlines and consequently face higher costs using 084 numbers.
‘It was therefore recommended that a response be made to the consultation in support of the ban on the use of 084 numbers in the NHS.’
The DoH is considering prohibiting the use of 084 numbers in the NHS and its consultation closes on 31 March.
Earlier this month Healthcare Republic reported that patients are now able to ring hundreds of GP practices for free after BT scrapped the charges to call 0845 numbers. The larger number of practices which use 0844 numbers will be unaffected.
neil.durham@haymarket.com
Editor's blog: Don't let DoH off hook on 084 ban in rush to go green
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David Hickson - 26 January 2009
Great news about the PSNC, which recognises that not only are mobile calls invariably more expensive, but that the premium charged for calling revenue sharing numbers is proportionately greater than that on landlines.
The benefit of the BT change only affects 300 GP surgeries, and only for the 10% of BT customers who have inclusive calls to 0845 \(and other) numbers during normal surgery hours. It does not affect the 1000 surgeries using 0844 numbers.
Does the PSNC believe that the ban should apply to all registered pharmacists who offer NHS services, including those who are currently using 084 \(and even 087) numbers?
Neil Durham - 27 January 2009
The PSNC adds: 'The consultation focused on the use of 084 numbers in the NHS; the committee would therefore expect the proposed ban on 084 numbers to apply to the provision of NHS community pharmacy services, just as it will apply to other NHS practitioners if implemented. However, the PSNC is not aware of pharmacies using 084 numbers.
087 number use has already been banned for GPs and dentists. The regulations were not changed for pharmacists because at the time pharmacies were not using 087 numbers.'
Paul Smith - 27 January 2009
I am sure someone has rung a pharmacy but I can't think why?
Poor families using mobile phones rather than free call deals via landlines?
DOH want to increase the number of telephone consultations to reduce the carbon footprint of the NHS who is to pay for these calls the practice the patient or the DOH?
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