Epping Forest GPs 'must switch to 0800 numbers'

Date: 07/10/2011

Doctor's surgeries in Epping Forest are under pressure to begin following government guidelines and offer 0800 numbers for patients who need to book appointments over the phone.

According to local newspaper the Guardian, three practices in the area are still using 0844 numbers, despite health authorities issuing a warning to switch earlier this year.

Allen Warner of Chigwell was quoted as saying it is "outrageous" that the new numbers are not yet in use, while Marie Alexis said the surgeries "should be listening to their patients and moving faster to change their numbers".

Earlier in the year, the news source revealed Chigwell Medical Centre, Ongar Health Centre and Willows Medical Practice were all employing 0844 numbers, which are more expensive to call than their 0800 counterparts.

Local newspaper the Star recently reported on a similar situation in Sheffield, where some GP surgeries were said to still be using 07844 and 0854 telephone numbers instead of a geographical alternative.