tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7973003528745578570.post2477168381723816349..comments2019-05-21T05:46:59.979+01:00Comments on David Hickson's NHS Patient Blog: NHS GPs using 0844 numbers can change to 0344David Hicksonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04098965183402991445noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7973003528745578570.post-43879317399407364102013-02-14T15:32:06.939+00:002013-02-14T15:32:06.939+00:00Daisy Surgery Line (the successors of NEG) claims ...Daisy Surgery Line (the successors of NEG) claims on it website - http://www.surgeryline.com:<br /><br />“While many customers elect to use the 0844 number, both 03 and local geographic (01/02) numbers are also available.”<br /><br />I have invited any practice to offer evidence to show that Daisy deviates from the standard policy followed by the rest of the telecoms industry by not permitting migration from a 084 number to the equivalent 034 number within the terms of an arrangement.<br /><br />Such evidence is essential to sustain a claim that such migration is not the "reasonable step" referred to in the terms of the GP contract. The interests of a telecoms service provider are in no way affected by a migration from 084 to 034, so there is no valid commercial reason to block such a request. The consequence of such a move is that the practice would thereafter have to meet the full cost of the system they are using, without the benefit of subsidy at the expense of callers. That is exactly how NHS providers are required to operate.<br /><br />There could be embarrassment caused when customers see the full unsubsidised cost of the system to which they have committed. It is for Daisy to say if this is perhaps the reason why it is not encouraging its customers to comply with the terms of their NHS contracts.<br /><br />Alternatively, Daisy may wish to repeat arguments made previously by NEG. Some have argued that patients are prepared to pay providers for access to healthcare services, and so the NHS, which rejects this as a point of absolute principle in its constitution, should be abolished. (Car parking and prescription charges come close, but do not actually breach the stated principle.)David Hicksonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04098965183402991445noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7973003528745578570.post-64953937606590986052013-02-08T19:20:49.889+00:002013-02-08T19:20:49.889+00:00It is alleged?/rumoured? that NEG do not offer 034...It is alleged?/rumoured? that NEG do not offer 0344 numbers and block GPs from changing to them....<br /><br /><a href="http://wilsonrichard.wordpress.com/2013/01/21/lightwater-surgerys-0844-phone-number-rip-off/#comment-40" rel="nofollow">wilsonrichard.wordpress.com/2013/01/21/lightwater-surgerys-0844-phone-number-rip-off</a><br /><br />Anyone care to comment on that?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7973003528745578570.post-90172056870685877282009-12-21T17:13:40.274+00:002009-12-21T17:13:40.274+00:00MY GP surgery has just issued a notice changing to...MY GP surgery has just issued a notice changing to an 0844 number as from 18th Dec 2009!!<br /><br />Dave Badminton<br />ChelmsfordAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com