NHS England letter - Ban on 084 numbers
On 4th November 2013 a letter was issued by the National Support Centre of NHS England. If your NHS GP still uses a prohibited 0844 or 0845 number, then we suggest you download a copy at this link, print it out and take it to your surgery.
You may want to highlight the following phrases in the text of the letter:
You may want to highlight the following phrases in the text of the letter:
- In April 2010 there was a contractual obligation placed on Practices … in recognition of the increased cost to the caller in dialling 084 numbers …. Entering into, renewing or extending such use was prohibited and those already using such numbers were required to take all reasonable steps to bring their use to an end.
- With thanks to the ‘fair telecoms campaign’ we are able to outline some facts and bust some myths regarding the use of 084 numbers
- … providers of surgery telephone systems including Daisy Group, providers of the Surgery Line system, permit migration from 084 to geographic rate numbers at any time within the term of existing system and network telephone service arrangements, without penalty. It is NHS England’s view that this represents one "reasonable" step that a practice could take.
- Providing an 084 number as a better service / higher cost alternative in parallel with a standard geographical option, is an unacceptable misrepresentation of what is meant by "choice" in the NHS. The NHS does not offer distinct tiers of service based on ability to pay.
- Your Area Team will be in touch to understand your plans for swiftly moving away from the use of 084 numbers.
Amended: 2014-01-01
