Seven practices ‘used premium rate numbers’

According to NHS England, the practices were using the higher tariff numbers which have been banned by the Department of Health.

Two have since stopped using them, while four others have set up local-rate numbers for patients to use as an alternative to the expensive 084 number and one offers to call patients back.

MP for Beverley and Holderness Graham Stuart said he understood the contractual difficulties some surgeries had, but he was making fresh inquiries to identify them to make sure practices were “actively communicating” with patients that there was an alternative.

He said: “It’s plain and simple that these rip-off numbers are wrong and the Government should get rid of them as soon as possible, especially since there are cheaper local-rate numbers available. The Department of Health has listened and has banned GPs from using them.

“I am still not convinced that the use of 084 numbers has entirely been eradicated.”