GPs criticised for using 'expensive phone numbers'

Date: 29/12/2011

The former Shadow Health Secretary has called for GPs in Rotherham and Barnsley to ensure patients are not paying more than the price of calling a local rate number when making an appointment.

MP for Wentworth and Dearne John Healey told the Yorkshire Post how some individuals are having to pay as much as 40p per minute more than a standard call when they phone family doctors.

Research carried out by Mr Healey revealed more than two-thirds of practices in Rotherham and nearly 75 per cent in Barnsley are still using higher rate numbers, despite new government legislation.

Regulations were introduced in 2010 that said patients should not be charged more than a local geographical number.

"When families are finding money is tight and everyone is trying to cut costs no one should be paying over the odds to get in touch with their doctor," Mr Healey commented.

The news comes after Earley Neighbourhood Action Group recently called for better advertising by GPs about the fact local numbers can be used to contact surgeries, Get Wokingham reported.