NHS bans premium rate phone calls

The use of phone numbers that charge a premium rate to contact the NHS are to be banned, the Department of Health has announced.

Based on a consultation on the use of 084 numbers in the health service, almost 3,000 members of the public responded to express their opinions on the issue.

Health minister Mike O’Brien said: “We have been concerned that some people are paying more than the cost of a local call rate to contact the NHS. It is clear from the feedback we have received that patients support the banning of any number or tariff which is more expensive to call.

He added that those on low incomes who need to contact their local doctor or hospital regularly can see costs spiral.

The Department of Health will now work with the British Medical Association’s GP committee over the coming months to integrate the legislative changes into the GP contracts.