Yorkshire GPs urged to buy 03 numbers

Date: 27/04/2011

GP surgeries in South Yorkshire are being urged to purchase local or 03 numbers.

This is because, as the Star reports, many patients are currently being charged up to 41p a minute to contact their practice and make an appointment.

While many of the high costs are incurred when people call from a mobile phone, some are also charged for using landlines.

As an alternative, the news provider suggested surgeries revert to an 03 number, as these cost no more than a local number to call, regardless of whether individuals use a mobile or their home phone.

David Lindsay, from Kirk Sandall in Doncaster, said people "wouldn't expect to be charged by the GP on the door of the surgery, but that is in effect what is happening".

This comes after the Yorkshire Post also reported earlier this month that many practices in Sheffield are failing to switch to alternative numbers, despite rules coming into effect on April 1st that state family doctors should take "reasonable steps" to ensure patients are not overcharged to contact them.