Health chiefs respond to outcry over 0845 calls
Health bosses may rethink the use of a controversial 0845 number for patients needing to book hospital transport.
Patients and health campaigners were furious that private company Arriva brought in the number when it took over the running of NHS patient transport service in Leicestershire on July 1.
A spokesman for the county's primary care trusts has said the issue will now be looked at.
Margaret Cooper, from Frisby on the Wreake, books transport for a 91-year-old friend who has to regularly travel to Leicester Royal Infirmary for blood transfusions.
Business Cards From Only £10.95 Delivered www.myprint-247.co.uk
View detailsOur heavyweight cards have FREE UV silk coating, FREE next day delivery & VAT included. Choose from 1000's of pre-designed templates or upload your own artwork. Orders dispatched within 24hrs.
Terms: Visit our site for more products: Business Cards, Compliment Slips, Letterheads, Leaflets, Postcards, Posters & much more. All items are free next day delivery. www.myprint-247.co.uk
Contact: 01858 468192
Valid until: Friday, May 31 2013
Mrs Cooper said: "I was furious to find out I have to ring this 0845 number. It is a disgrace that people are expected to ring it.
"A lot of people who need to use the patient transport service are already very vulnerable and should not have to ring this number which costs more for most of us.
"Added to that, patients ringing to book the transport are being kept on the line quite a time while they are asked questions to make sure they are eligible for the transport. This adds to the cost."
Zuffar Haq, of the Leicester Mercury Patients' Panel, welcomed the move to look at patients' concerns but said the primary care trusts (PCTs) NHS Leicester City and NHS Leicestershire County and Rutland must now insist Arriva change the number.
He said: "The issue of using 0844 and 0845 numbers has been around since 2007.
"It is cheaper for many people to ring India than it is to call their GP or to book patient transport.
"This issue should have been included in contract negotiations. It is a major failing to have overlooked this point.
"The use of this number really affects vulnerable and elderly people who cannot afford to dial numbers at extra cost."
Mr Haq, who has also campaigned to try to persuade GP surgeries to stop using the number, said: "Arriva must change this number as soon as possible. When East Midlands Ambulance Service ran the service there was a landline number in operation."
Michel Whitworth, from the PCTs, said the issue of using an 0845 number was not included in the terms of the contact signed by Arriva earlier this year – in a deal worth £31.3 million over five years.
He said: "In view of some patients' concerns the primary care trusts will now put it on the agenda for discussion as part of the performance monitoring of the contract."
BT charges about 4p a minute for an 0845 number during the day and about 1p a minute in the evenings and at weekends.
Free calls to the number are included in BT telephone packages.
However, calls can cost 20p to 30p from some mobile phones.
Comments
by RichardM12
Wednesday, August 01 2012, 3:10PM
“** they would be able to absorb the cost and operate a free 0800 number service
0800 numbers are not free from a mobile phone, far from it. An 01, 02 or 03 number would be the right thing to use.
** My GP's practice has had an 0844 number for a long time. I dont know why services such as GPs and patient transport use these
GPs were banned from using 0844 numbers in April 2010 and given until April 2011 to change to an 01 or 02 geographic number or to an 0344 non-geographic number (03 numbers cost the same as 01 and 02 numbers).”
by prog_rock_fan
Thursday, July 12 2012, 7:28AM
“SHAME on Arriva for trying to squeeze the last possible penny out of the sick!”
by bimple
Wednesday, July 11 2012, 9:57PM
“""Here we go again - moan moan moan !!!"
Sydney, how about, errr, not moaning and actually trying to be constructive and addressing problems which result in improvements being made, like the people referred to in this article who thanks to their whistle blowing are going to ensure things are changed. You, by moaning, aren't adding anything.”
by sydney11
Wednesday, July 11 2012, 9:39PM
“Here we go again - moan moan moan !!!”
by le27ld
Wednesday, July 11 2012, 1:34PM
“The biggest deception is 0844 numbers, people think think are local rate inreality they are as expesive as 0870 numbers. I always check the website saynoto0870.co.uk
If I can't find a number I'll ring a landline number for the organisation, if the person refuses to help I ask to speak to there manager. I even tell them I am unable to ring 0844 because i have a block on my phone.
0845 as your article states is free from a BT line on certain contracts, however VirginMedia & Mobile customers will be ripped off!!!”
by FOXFAN99
Wednesday, July 11 2012, 11:18AM
“My GP's practice had had an 0844 number for a long time. I dont know why services such as GPs and patient transport use these so called "Premium Rate" numbers but everyone seems to be having them istead of local numbers.”
by Carmedic
Wednesday, July 11 2012, 11:02AM
“In my opinion a number that costs more to call than a standard land-line is a premium rate number ergo we should expect a premium service. Don't make me laugh. Try using a site where you can 'say no to 0870' and other numbers may be available.”
by Bob491
Wednesday, July 11 2012, 9:54AM
“What does anyone expect when NHS services are privatised?
Private health care bosses are only interested in siphoning tax payers money into their already bulging pockets. That's why they donate so many £millions to the Conservative Party.”
by Graham_LE8
Wednesday, July 11 2012, 8:41AM
“You would think that if Arriva are to benefit to the tune of £6M+ per annum for the next five years they would be able to absorb the cost and operate a free 0800 number service.
But the underlying problem is that everything is run by accountants these days, and the thought of providing certain aspects of 'public service' eludes most organisations.
Many have fancy websites and statements declaring their 'corporate social responsibility', but few pay more than lip-service to these values...”