This page summarises the position of NHS Devon regarding the use of 0845 numbers for patient facing services in light of the following publications and communications:

     Letter to NHS bodies from from Nick Hall, Deputy Director, DoH, December 2009

     Directions to NHS bodies concerning the cost of telephone calls 2009

     Full findings of the consultation on the use of 084x numbers

A patient’s call to a 0845 number should not cost more than a local call, however the cost of the call is defined by the call carrier ( BT, Virginmedia, Orange, 02 etc). The largest call provider, BT, now offers free calls to 0845 numbers during the day but this is not the case with all carriers, particularly mobile companies.

NHS Devon will maintain the use of 0845 numbers where the service covers a geographical area where non-local rates might apply to the calling of 01 numbers. We will also publish local numbers, so the caller can make the decision about which number to use, based on which company will carry their call.

NHS Devon does not make a profit from the use of 0845 numbers and does not use any premium rate numbers such as 0844, 0870, etc.

NHS Devon has not implemented 03 numbers as these would incur costs for the Trust and in addition would not necessarily be free of charge to end users.

Click the link for the current list of 0845 numbers in use by NHS Devon.