Randerson calls for ban on revenue raising numbers within the NHS

4.42.07pm BST (GMT +0100) Mon 28th Jul 2008

Many poorer people do not have access to a landline

Welsh Lib Dem Spokesperson for Health Jenny Randerson AM has today called on the Health Minister Edwina Hart to move to formally ban the use of revenue raising phone numbers within the Welsh NHS. Such numbers, used by some GP surgeries and other services, often cost patients without access to a landline significant amounts of money.

Mrs Randerson has written to the Minister asking her to formally bring forward a ban.

Jenny Randerson said: "It is time that this practice stopped. While some of these numbers can raise extra cash for the NHS, it is very unfair on some of the poorest patients out there.

"All the evidence shows that poorer people are less likely to have access to a landline and rely instead on the use of a mobile phone. This system is penalising them. There are also a range of other phone line providers, all of whom charge different amounts for phoning these numbers.

"I hope that the Minister brings forward a ban. After all, she has been willing to ban things that make no difference to the poor whatsoever, like prescription charges for millionaires, so hopefully she will end this injustice.

Notes:

Recent reports have shown that a significant number of GP surgeries are using 0844 or 0845 numbers.