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GPs approach 5th year of breach of contract

10/2/2014

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It is our strong view that the firm stand taken by NHS England on the question of delayed compliance with the contractual terms covering use of 084 telephone numbers should prevent practices drifting into a fifth year of non-compliance with requirements that came into effect on 1 April 2010.

The necessary change of telephone number takes only a few weeks to arrange, however a total of 1 year's grace was granted, so that practices could perhaps make more extensive changes to their arrangements.
This news release includes a link to a listing of the 440 surgeries still showing 084 numbers on NHS Choices, with totals by Area.

It also identifies four targets in a call for action.
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gps140130nr.pdf
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File Type: pdf
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Parliament debates the ‘Telephone Tax’

30/6/2013

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Following our announcement of the debate and the issuing of a briefing in this blog posting, the debate took place and the proceedings are recorded here.
We have published comments and clarifications on the points made by the various contributors to the debate.
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tt_debate_briefing.pdf
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We have also issued a news release, anticipating the NAO report, which is expected to be published very shortly.
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nao_awaited.pdf
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'Telephone Tax' to be investigated by the NAO

11/6/2013

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Our news release covers the background to this issue, the result that must surely be obtained and the consequences of retention.

Given the effect of a previous NAO investigation on HMRC, and now after Ofcom announcements, we are confident that the “Telephone Tax” will be clearly seen for what it is
tt_investigated.pdf
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The 'Telephone Tax'

20/5/2013

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This news release introduces the term "Telephone Tax", and explains how the Telephone Tax applies in relation to government policy and other activity.
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telephone_tax.pdf
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DWP to retain 0845 numbers

18/3/2013

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BBC Money Box today revealed that Iain Duncan Smith has confirmed, in a letter to John Healey MP, that DWP will be retaining 0845 numbers under the new arrangements shortly to be announced by Ofcom.
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The picture is based on an Ofcom example of how Service Charges will be advised.
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Listen to the item as broadcast
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Click to read our news release
dwp_retains_0845.pdf
File Size: 490 kb
File Type: pdf
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BBC Radio Lincolnshire on GPs with 0844 numbers

10/3/2013

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Featuring David Hickson from the fair telecoms campaign Click to listen
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Featuring a contribution from campaigner John Healey MP Click to listen
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Coverage of the Gloucestershire NHS move from 0845 to 0300

6/12/2012

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As advised in our media release, the move from 0845 to 0300 was completed on 26 November.
It is now being publicised and discussed.
Click on the items below (including the link within the animated Google ad).

Read the forum
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Show / Hide the ad
Hear the coverage
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Item includes a fair telecoms campaign contribution
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Gloucestershire NHS moves from 084 to 03

21/11/2012

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gloucestershire_nhs_finally_gives_up_its_084_numbers.pdf
File Size: 471 kb
File Type: pdf
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See the news release for details of how Gloucestershire NHS has finally moved into compliance with the Directions to NHS bodies of December 2009, whilst allowing its contracted GPs to remain in breach.
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The scale of the DWP telephone rip-off is revealed

19/10/2012

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Click image to view release
John Healey MP has secured a written answer from a DWP Minister confirming that the DWP uses 130 different 0845 telephone numbers to benefit from Service Charges paid by those making enquiries. The release gives a breakdown and lists the services subject to a charge for enquiries. These include: The Pensions Service, Jobcentre Plus and all of the Allowances paid to those in need - Attendance, Disability Living, Maternity, Winter Fuel.

This is no longstanding legacy situation, as also included are the newly introduced Benefits Cap and the Employment and Support Allowance, which replaces Invalidity Benefit.

This comes at a time when a government consultation on plans to prohibit businesses from using customer enquiries phone numbers which include a Service Charge to the benefit of the person called is coming to a close. See - Consultation … closes on 1 November.

When these two items are taken together, they show a “re-balancing of the economy” that some may find distasteful. Consumers of private sector services are to be protected from being subjected to Service Charges, whereas those requiring the services of the state continue to be subjected to fees.

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