Shropdoc out-of-hours GP line changing its number
The telephone number for Shropshire's out-of-hours GP service is to change because of a rising cost of landline calls.
From today the Shropdoc number will be changed to 0333 222 66 55.
The move comes after regulation changes by Ofcom regarding the use of 08 numbers and the rise in cost of calls from landlines.
Ian Winstanley, Shropdoc chief executive, said: "Up to now the tariff we have used for the out of hours number is one pence per minute from BT landlines but with the new regulations the telephone providers could charge significantly more, up to 15p per minute on some networks.
The new Shropdoc number is
0333 222 66 55
"As a direct result our out of hours number will be changing. It is unacceptable that some of our patients would be forced to pay 15p per minute while making an essential phone call."
Shropdoc, which is short for Shropshire Doctors Co-operative Ltd, was activating the line from 6.30pm tonight.
Mr Winstanley said: "The old number will remain in use for the foreseeable future to ensure that anyone ringing the old number will still be able to access the service and will receive any help they need."
Shropdoc provides services to 600,000 patients in the region and the call centre deals with around 250,000 calls and in excess of 150,000 patients per year.
The service was designed for patients whose condition cannot wait to be dealt with until their GP opens the next day or after the weekend.
Health bosses say the new call charges to the 0333 number from any landline is dependent on the originators calling tariffs, but are generally charged at the same rate as a local call.
Calls from mobiles to 0333 numbers are generally included in call minutes packages.
Ofcom introduced UK-wide 03 numbers as an alternative to chargeable 08 numbers, such as 0870.
Dr Simon Chappie, deputy medical director at Shropdoc, said: "We are keeping the other line open as well because people are familiar with it. It would be unkind and unwise to pull that immediately – we would expect to keep the other line open for at least a year.
"However we would encourage people to ring the 0333 number as it is far less costly."
