to not realise that NHS Direct 0845 number is a premium rate line?

[activate]

did you know that you pay 41p per minute?

holy shit!

I must stop reading the DM

Huh? I thought 0845 numbers were local rate and 0870 and 0900 numbers were premium. Shows what I know then.

or I should stop scanning it - I take this thread back

"Patients calling NHS Direct from a mobile are charged a maximum of 41p per minute, depending on their phone company. A landline call costs 12p a minute from most operators or 5p with BT."

Not necessary you don't. It depends on your provider and type of tariff - on BT it can be free (depending on time of day) or 2p per minute.

If you call from a mobile it would be 41p but who would call from a mobile? Health is priceless so even if you had to call from a mobile cost is irrelevant.

I had no idea. So much for healthcare being 'free at the point of entry' then.

See people will be thinking calling from their landline is going to cost them - then die rather than pay the 41p, whereas DM didn't realise

ANY 0845 NUMBER WILL COST MORE FROM A MOBILE

I know a lot of poor families that only have a PAYG mobile and no phoneline (so they're not paying line rental if not using it) so 41p is a lot in those circumstances!

yes agree Weasal a landline is a luxury in today's day and age

It annoys me how 0800 numbers cost such a lot from a mobile phone.

use this site to get geographicel numbers and always phone banks using their phining from abroad number

or it's free if you get a certain package with your telecoms provider...

Agree with laweasel that many families don't have landlines.

It's the same as phoning our GP that costs a bomb from the mobile as well.

As for "you can't put a price on health" that's just silly. Maybe on that basis 999 should be charged for? Many people can't afford 41p a minute but if money is no object why not make is £100 a minute, and if people then decide not to ring then it's their own fault for being tight? Really random point to make TBH.

I used NHS Direct last week, entered my details & symptoms into their online site and they rang me back. So it cost me nothing and I'd recommend that method to anyone thinking of using NHS Direct.

Good tip chil

That's good, I noticed the site had changed but didn't know you could do that.