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AIBU?

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Original poster

AIBU to complain that outgoing calls to patients from GP surgery only show as Number Witheld?

35 replies

Serpentstooth · 28/04/2025 18:46

My GP surgery has called me 5 times since March. None of these calls came through to me as my phone blocks withheld numbers, doesn't even ping when they happen. I've been expecting a call from GP today, noticed a blocked call, and finally managed to get through to the surgery earlier to ask if that call was from them. 'Oh yes, it was. All our outgoing calls show Number Witheld.' What? You must miss hundreds of patient calls each week. Nearly everyone I know blocks unknown numbers, especially older people frightened of scammers. 'Oh. Well, we haven't had any complaints! ' That will be because your patients won't know they've been called by the Surgery so how would they know to complain to you? "Err. Can you come in for a face to face?" Yes, I can but others won't be able to or even know that's possible as the Surgery can't get through on their phones. "Oh. Er. Your appointment will be ... etc."

Unbelievable incompetence. Am fuming in best MN manner. How can I get this fixed most quickly?

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CarCrashLifes · 28/04/2025 21:01

All NHS services that I’m aware of will call number withheld
Any appointment emails, texts and letters have this information on and patients told at time of booking that a telephone appointment will come from a withheld number

Growlybear83 · 28/04/2025 20:57

Whenever I book a phone consultation with my GP or with a hospital, it’s always made very clear that the call will come from a withheld number. It’s not the surgery’s fault that you have chosen to block withheld numbers.

PinkSparklyPussyCat · 28/04/2025 20:56

Judiezones · 28/04/2025 20:45

I thought all NHS calls came through as withheld. Mine have always done, from the GP or the hospital. I never block withheld numbers.

Calls from my GP come through from the practice number.

I don't block withheld numbers but I don't always answer them as they are usually scammers, the most recent being there is a warrant out for my arrest if I don't call them back on the number they give me!

I do answer them if I'm in a bad mood so I can tell someone to fuck off without feeling guilty!

Justlovedogs · 28/04/2025 20:51

I work for the NHS, have and NHS issue mobile and calls from the hospital landlines come up as withheld. My GP surgery is withheld. Completely normal for all the reasons already said.
I don't block withheld numbers on my personal mobile, I just don't answer them if I'm not expecting a call or can't be bothered to deal with it. 🤷‍♀️

Judiezones · 28/04/2025 20:45

I thought all NHS calls came through as withheld. Mine have always done, from the GP or the hospital. I never block withheld numbers.

ninjahamster · 28/04/2025 20:43

phoenixrosehere · 28/04/2025 20:06

I have an iPhone 15 and several others before it and it has never said suspected scam. How do you open that function?

Show quote history

Oh I’ve no idea! Mine just started saying it after one of the updates I think!

UncharteredWaters · 28/04/2025 20:31

I bet if you were paying for the service you’d soo unblock withheld numbers.

Permanentlytiredandgrumpy · 28/04/2025 20:28

I work in the NHS. Not supplied a phone when I work from home. Have to block my number or else patients call me back on my days off/weekends/nights. If your GP's call is important to you, you'd figure out how to unblock your phone. Fed up of people complaining when frontliners are trying their best in an impossible situation.

user2848502016 · 28/04/2025 20:23

They’ve always done that since it became possible to trace who called you, it’s for patient confidentiality

Ifyouhavetoask99 · 28/04/2025 20:12

Mine is iPhone 14 - I didn’t unlock any function - it just flashes up automatically “suspected spam”
and if it does, I don’t answer

phoenixrosehere · 28/04/2025 20:06

ninjahamster · 28/04/2025 19:20

I’d unblock withheld numbers.

Most scammers call in mobile numbers these days plus if you have an iPhone it says suspected spam when they ring.

I have an iPhone 15 and several others before it and it has never said suspected scam. How do you open that function?

Roselilly36 · 28/04/2025 20:03

Been like this for years, if I get a withheld number, I know it’s always the hospital or GP, so I always answer.

ninjahamster · 28/04/2025 19:20

I’d unblock withheld numbers.

Most scammers call in mobile numbers these days plus if you have an iPhone it says suspected spam when they ring.

Bushmillsbabe · 28/04/2025 19:20

Same as above, I often call my patients from my work mobile, which withholds the number so I don't get patients calling me when I'm not working, both for my wellbeing and so patients don't leave urgent medical concerns on my voicemail rather than seek available healthcare options

Dramatic · 28/04/2025 19:14

I don't know anyone who blocks all withheld numbers for this very reason.

Bababear987 · 28/04/2025 19:13

This is you being silly not the surgery.

I dont know anyone that blocks withheld numbers and anytime I'm phoned by scammers its always with mobile numbers.

olympicsrock · 28/04/2025 19:09

Normal practice so that people don’t try and phone a hospital or GP switchboard back .

I’m a doctor and often makes calls from my own mobile when working from home . I withhold my number . You need to stop your phone screening withheld numbers . Then if you know that you might be expecting a call you can answer the phone .

Ifyouhavetoask99 · 28/04/2025 19:05

As above - unblock your phone and accept withheld numbers - if it comes from NHS it won’t be highlighted as “suspected spam” by your provider. I work in the NHS and sometimes have to call my patients - I’ll let them know the number is withheld - most of my patients are over 70 - I could count on one hand how many don’t allow withheld calls.

Smallmercies · 28/04/2025 19:04

TeenToTwenties · 28/04/2025 18:52

It stops other members of the household seeing you have been phoned by the NHS, patient confidentiality.

This.

Barrenfieldoffucks · 28/04/2025 19:04

redphonecase · 28/04/2025 18:55

Completely normal as others have said - coming up with the GP's number could be a real issue for those e.g. in an abusive relationship. You must miss loads of calls from other organisations too.

Agreed. Mine have always been withheld, for years. I don't know anyone who blocks withheld numbers, simply because lots of people use them. You're just as likely to get scammed by a random number...the only scam call I've ever had just came from a mobile number.

EnjoyingTheArmoire · 28/04/2025 19:01

Totally normal practice in the NHS (and police etc) in my area.

You are the one creating a problem by voluntarily blocking these calls.

PaintYourAssLikeRembrandt · 28/04/2025 19:01

Allowing withheld numbers to get through to your phone is the quickest way to fix it.

If you think of all the potential reasons that the call would possibly need to be private it makes sense.

Exasperated24 · 28/04/2025 18:59

angelopal · 28/04/2025 18:55

Where I am all NHS calls come from the same number. so it could be GP or hospital and shows the same. Don't think I have ever had a withheld no from them.

Same here.

TheCountofMountingCrispBags · 28/04/2025 18:58

Set your phone to accept witheld numbers and stop being part of this damn pathetic nonsense of not answering calls to witheld numbers.
It's easy to put the phone down on an unwanted call

Original poster
Serpentstooth · 28/04/2025 18:58

Well that's a comfort. However, I've also been called by a couple of NHS screening services in the last few days and a regular appointments adjustment, all of whom clearly identified themselves by name on my phone screen. Which is why I 1. Know they called and 2. Was able to answer them. So hiding away is obviously a choice not a commandment. And is bloody stupid to say the least.

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