USE OF 0844 TELEPHONE NUMBERS IN GP SURGERIES

Early day motion 108, tabled 6 November 2007 by Graham Stuart (Conservative). Signed by 71 members.

That this House notes that more than 1,200 GP surgeries across the country have installed telephone systems using 0844 numbers; further notes that these systems are more expensive to use than a local call with patients being charged 5 pence per minute from a landline and up to 40 pence per minute from a mobile; further notes that for many people, calling their local GP surgery can be a stressful and worrying time and that high call charges will have a particular impact on the chronically ill, the old, the disabled and those on low incomes; notes that the practice of charging people extra to call their local GP is unsatisfactory; and calls upon the Secretary of State for Health to put an end to it with immediate effect.

Signatures by party: Labour 31, Liberal Democrat 17, Conservative 12, DUP 6, Scottish National Party 2, Social Democratic and Labour Party 2, Independent 1.