Issue - meetings

- report by John Radford, Director of Public Health

Dr. John Radford, Director of Public Health, reported on the use of 084 telephone numbers in Rotherham General Practices.

In December, 2009, the Secretary of State issued the “Directions to NHS bodies concerning the cost of telephone calls 2009”.  These mandated that, regardless of the telephone number being called, people should not pay more to call a NHS body than they would to make an equivalent call to a local telephone number.  The directions did not expressly disallow the use of any particular telephone number ranges.

A recent review of Rotherham General Practice telephone numbers had been carried out and identified that many were using 0845 and 0844 telephone numbers.  Calls to the numbers from a fixed line were charged at no more than a call to a local number.  However, all calls, irrespective of the caller’s provider or call plan, should be at the local rate and as such the continued use of 084 telephone numbers disadvantaged some patients who could not afford land lines and should be withdrawn.

Dr. Polkinghorn reported that, at a meeting held earlier in the week, there had been an undertaken given by all Rotherham GPs to migrate away from the 08 numbers.  There would be a problem for some practices with large contracts.

Resolved:-  That the report and decision by Rotherham GPs to migrate away from the 08 numbers be noted.