Epping Forest surgeries 'urged to change phone numbers'

Date: 14/07/2011

New 0333 numbers could be a useful purchase for GP surgeries in Epping Forest if they wish to please their patients.

This is because many of those who use medical centres in the area are angry about the fact 0844 numbers are still in operation, the Epping Forest Guardian reports.

Contacting these prefixes can cost up to twice as much as dialling a local number and individuals are speaking out over the charges.

Chigwell resident Lee Taylor said: "So many people do not understand and do not know that their mobile provider is going to charge them more to call these numbers."

He added that medical centre staff should deal with enquiries in an efficient manner in a bid to reduce costs for patients.

Willows Medical Practice in Manford Way, Chigwell and Ongar Health Centre in Banson's Lane, Ongar, both use these numbers, the newspaper revealed.

Last month, the Braintree and Witham Times reported that Kelvedon Surgery has decided to change its phone number after receiving complaints from local residents about premium charges.