The choices for NHS services should the Department of Health’s public consultation prohibit the use of 0844/0845 telephone numbers in 2009.

10 Reasons Why 03 Numbers are Being Recommended by the Department of Health

The department of Health launched an England wide consultation on the 16th of December to ask whether it should prevent the use of 0844/0845 numbers to get in touch with services provided by the NHS.

Increasing numbers of GP practices, pharmacies, Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) and opticians use these 08 numbers as they offer improved call functions like caller queuing and options for patients to ensure they reach the right department (e.g. press 1 for appointments, press 2 to speak to a nurse etc.)

The study (which closes in March 2009) frequently talks about 03 telephone numbers as the natural substitute, as they offer the same extra functions as 0844/0845 numbers, but crucially are charged at the same level as regular landline numbers, even from mobiles.

This is specifically essential when 40% of all calls made in the UK last year were from mobiles (Ofcom 2008).

0300 numbers are entirely for the public sector and are already being used by a whole host of NHS organisations including Wiltshire Medical Services, South Staffordshire PCT and West Sussex PCT

The following are 10 facts why 03 numbers are being advocated by the Department of Health:

1. They meet the needs of the public as they are priced the same to call as 01/02 numbers – even from a mobile.

2. Because 03 numbers are relatively new there are still a huge range of easy to remember 03 numbers available (they were launched in 2007).

3. The public trust 0300 numbers as they are entirely for public sector organisations.

4. Organisations can cope with callers more efficiently, get useful data about their specific 03 number and ensure all calls are received by the right person, first time.

5. It’s possible to record calls to 0300 numbers.

6. 0300 numbers can easily move with the organisation if it relocates.

7. Organisations can control where they get their calls, by diverting their 03 number to any UK landline or a mobile phone easily via the web/phone.

8. It’s possible to see the geographic location of callers and the busy periods of the organisation using online call statistics packages.

9. All important calls will be answered if you can provide the caller with a queue when your busy.

10. They can often be inexpensive to maintain if you look for the provider with the most competitive offering in the industry.

The outcome of the public consultation will be interesting and for NHS organisations that depend on the functions of their telephone numbers, then at least 03 numbers or 0800 numbers provide a viable substitute if they should choose to rule out 0844/0845 numbers in the NHS.