Blog Spot ONE

The option 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

On the 16th December 2008, the Department of Health launched an England-wide consultation to find out whether it should prevent the use of 0844/ 0845 numbers to access services given by the National Health Service.

Increasing numbers of General Practices, pharmacies, Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) and opticians use these 08 numbers as they provide better call features like caller queuing and options for enquirers to ensure they reach the right department (e.g. press 1 for reception, press 2 to speak to a matron etc.)

The consultation (which closes in March 2009) frequently talks about 03 telephone numbers as the best alternative, as they offer the same additional features as 0844/0845 numbers, but crucially are charged at the same rate as regular landline numbers, even from mobiles.

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

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

Here are 10 reasons why 03 numbers are starting to be used by the Department of Health:

1. They are for the public as they cost the same to call as 01/02 numbers - even from a mobile.

2. There is an extensive range of easy to remember 03 numbers available as they are still relatively new (launched in 2007).

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

4. Organisations can cope with callers more effectively, get valuable information about their specific 03 number and make sure all calls are received by the correct 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 rerouting their 03 number to any UK landline or a mobile phone easily using 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 seek out the provider with the most competitive offering in the industry.

What the outcome will be from the public survey will be very interesting and for National Health Service organisations that rely on the features of their telephone numbers, then at least 03 numbers or 0800 numbers provide a viable alternative if they should choose to stop using 0844/0845 numbers in the NHS.