0845 calls ditched by NHS board over costs

A HEALTH board has overhauled its telephone system so that calls no longer go through an 0845 number.

Until today, patients and relatives contacting NHS Grampian had to use the prefix, with the cost of any call varying.

But the board’s main service numbers – including that of its central switchboard – will now use an 0345 number, meaning calls are charged at a local rate.

The move comes after Ofcom ruled that public sector organisations must have a contact number that is included in consumer call packages, and that costs no more than a local call.

Other health boards and councils across the UK have been making the changeover.

In a statement, the Grampian health board said: ““From 1 July, anyone dialling the 0845 prefix numbers for NHS Grampian services will hear a recorded message asking them to redial using 0345.

“The message will be free of charge and this service will run for a year, to support the transition from the old prefix code.”

The Fair Telecoms Campaign has been fighting for the change, arguing that callers have to pay a service charge whenever they call an 0845 number.

The campaign’s David Hickson said: “At last the NHS in Aberdeen starts to respect the principle of ‘free at the point of need’.”