Sheffield surgeries 'offered support to change numbers'

Date: 08/08/2011

Some GP surgeries in Sheffield are still to swap their 0844 and 0845 telephone numbers to a geographic alternative, it has been reported.

The local Star newspaper noted that all health centres in the area had until the end of July to make the change.

However, some are yet to do so and support is being offered to practices to facilitate the alteration.

A spokeswoman for the PCT explained choosing numbers with a 0114 or 03 prefix is the best way for surgeries to ensure they are complying with regulations.

She stated that "whilst we are continuing to encourage practices to switch at the earliest opportunity, there are a number of factors that may affect their ability to do this immediately".

Some of the practices have put a call back system into operation, when means they get in touch with patients who are unable to contact their doctor from their BT landline.

Last month, Brookside Group Practice in Earley, Berkshire, was urged to change its 0844 prefix.