Enter and View visit. What is the aids like touch screen registration and real time feedback on new triage system? surveys. Recommendation/Question from Hackney Response from Commissioner for Primary Care NHS LINk North and the City Use of 0844 Numbers As you will be aware the Department of Health announced a ban on premium rate telephone Several people expressed concern about numbers in February 2005. This did not include the their GP surgery having an 0844 number. It use of 084 numbers however the Department costs between 3p and 5p per minute to call followed this announcement with amendments to the an 0844 number, the rate is the same GP contract (GMS, PMS and APMS) [General whatever time of day. This compares with Medical Services, Personal Medical Services, calling a local number from a landline of Alternative Provider Medical Services) Regulations 3.4p peak rate, 1.7p evening & 0.6p on and Directions. weekends. Mobile packages vary. For GP surgeries an 0844 number is attractive as it is an additional source of income. In April 2010 a contract variation was issued to all Issues providers placing a contractual obligation to ensure that contractors must not enter into, renew or extend People may be paying a lot a contract for telephone services unless satisfied that more to call surgeries, people will not pay more to make calls to the practice especially from mobiles than they would to make equivalent calls to a geographical number. There is not good knowledge about 0844 numbers and their costs On the Department published further guidance on the use of 084 numbers in the NHS. This further guidance has been issued to clarify what types of Recommendations calls are included in the Directions and Regulations, the role evidence should play when considering the That PCT looks into use of use of 084 numbers and the roles of the GP O844 numbers by GP practices and other primary medical services surgeries contractors or Primary Care Trusts, other NHS Questions bodies, and the Department in resolving disputes. How many GP practices use 0844 numbers? NHS NELC [North East London and the City] has Has the PCT advised GPs received a number of communications from patients, on use of 0844 numbers? local MP’s and other parties raising concerns about the use of 084 numbers in surgeries. While Are call charges publicised practices are not prohibited from using specific by GP practices? number ranges (i.e. 084 numbers) NHS NELC does not support practices using these numbers. We therefore advise practices to avoid using these
Enter and View visit. What is the feedback on new triage system? aids like touch screen registration and real time surveys. Recommendation/Question from Hackney LINk Response from Commissioner for Primary Care NHS North and the City Use of 0844 Numbers Several people expressed concern about their GP surgery having an 0844 number. It costs between 3p and 5p per minute to call an 0844 number, the rate is the same whatever time of day. This compares with calling a local number from a landline of 3.4p peak rate, 1.7p evening & 0.6p on weekends. Mobile packages vary. For GP surgeries an 0844 number is attractive as it is an additional source of income. Issues People may be paying a lot more to call surgeries, especially from mobiles There is not good knowledge about 0844 numbers and their costs Recommendations That PCT looks into use of O844 numbers by GP surgeries Questions How many GP practices use 0844 numbers? Has the PCT advised GPs on use of 0844 numbers? Are call charges publicised by GP practices? As you will be aware the Department of Health announced a ban on premium rate telephone numbers in February 2005. This did not include the use of 084 numbers however the Department followed this announcement with amendments to the GP contract (GMS, PMS and APMS) [General Medical Services, Personal Medical Services, Alternative Provider Medical Services) Regulations and Directions. In April 2010 a contract variation was issued to all providers placing a contractual obligation to ensure that contractors must not enter into, renew or extend a contract for telephone services unless satisfied that people will not pay more to make calls to the practice than they would to make equivalent calls to a geographical number. On the Department published further guidance on the use of 084 numbers in the NHS. This further guidance has been issued to clarify what types of calls are included in the Directions and Regulations, the role evidence should play when considering the use of 084 numbers and the roles of the GP practices and other primary medical services contractors or Primary Care Trusts, other NHS bodies, and the Department in resolving disputes. NHS NELC [North East London and the City] has received a number of communications from patients, local MP’s and other parties raising concerns about the use of 084 numbers in surgeries. While practices are not prohibited from using specific number ranges (i.e. 084 numbers) NHS NELC does not support practices using these numbers. We therefore advise practices to avoid using these
2013-Healthwatch-Hackney-report-GP-appointment-system-Update-Nov-213.docx