What action it is taking to ensure that premium rate telephone numbers are not used by medical practices.

Answered Asked by Bill Butler Lab Lodged 18 Sep 2009

The question

To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to ensure that premium rate telephone numbers are not used by medical practices.

The answer

Answered by Nicola Sturgeon on 28 Sep 2009 · 10 days after it was lodged, on time

We will be considering, in partnership with the medical profession in Scotland, how best to prevent any new arrangements of this nature being entered into by GP practices. In addition, we will issue guidance to NHS boards which will require them to press practices currently using premium rate numbers to reopen negotiations with service providers in a bid to drive down the costs to callers.

In the Official Report

No contribution in the Official Report cites S3W-27498 by reference.