Calls to GP ‘could be free’ as BT cuts tariffs

Calls to various NHS services or a GP could be free for some consumers following BT’s announcement that it will no longer charge its customers for calling 0870 and 0845 numbers.

Yesterday the telecoms company said it would now include these numbers in its call packages after some of its client base complained that they had to pay extra when using the service.

“These numbers are widely used by banks, utilities and even NHS Direct,” said BT’s consumer business managing director John Petter.

“Our customers spend 30 minutes a month on average calling these numbers. We hope we have taken a sting out of the price of these calls.”

The news follows an announcement last month that the government had initiated a public consultation about the use of such telephone numbers.

Health minister Ben Bradshaw said the department was “concerned” that some people were being forced to shell out “above the odds” to access NHS services.

He added that people on low incomes can see costs build up if they have to call these numbers.

Set to last 14 weeks, the consultation is set to obtain opinions from NHS organisations and the telecoms sector, as well as 0845 providers and users.