I have recently received an email from the Prime Minister's office regarding GP surgeries using 0844 numbers.

The email is in response to an online petition which lobbied the Government to ban the use of such numbers.

The email states "The Department of Health's ongoing position on this issue has been that patients should not be expected to pay more than the equivalent cost of calling a geographical number and, in the meantime, Ministers expect NHS organisations to continue to take this into account".

Why is it then that North Brink Surgery patients are still being charged extortionate rates to contact the surgery?

The email further states that: "The ban will be enforced as soon as the necessary legislative changes can be made. This will be early next year for GP practices".

So, it appears that North Brink are sadly going to keep on charging higher call rates right up until they are banned from doing so.

Is not time to get back to some good old fashioned doctoring rather than creating a business empire that is based on charging patients for a service that should be free at the point of entry?

Perhaps, there is a need for key members of the North Brink team to remind themselves what the NHS is all about.

"The system was born out of a long-held ideal that good healthcare should be available to all, regardless of wealth - and that principle remains at its core.

With the exception of charges for some prescriptions and optical and dental services, the NHS remains free at the point of use for anyone who is resident in the UK". (NHS Website)

I rest my case.

A SMITH

Wisbech

via email