An open message has been sent to Jeremy Hunt MP, Secretary of State for Health, pointing out the discrepancy between the terms of the NHS GP contracts regarding telephone numbers, statements by his Minister and the published position adopted by Area Directors of the NHS Commissioning Board for Kent and Medway and Surrey and Sussex.

It presents to him the question: “Are GPs (and others) permitted to use telephone numbers that include a ‘Service Charge’ for access to NHS services?”. The message is copied to those who may be better placed to obtain a response.

An email to NHS Sussex, MPs and local and national media draws attention to the briefing

BBC Radio Berkshire today changed its number from 0845 to 0345. This broadcast discussed examples of others who should do the same, and why.
NHS GPs contractually committed to using non-geographic numbers were required to do so between April 2010 and April 2011.
Click the radio image to hear relevant excerpts from the show.

Today, BBC London covered the issue of GPs in breach of their contracts, by using expensive telephone numbers -
on TV and on Radio.