A GP practice in Brent has stopped charging its patients premium rates to book an appointment following a campaign by residents.
The Law Medical Group Practice, which has surgeries in Wrottesley Road, Kensal Green, and Harrow Road, Wembley, has ditched its 0844 telephone lines which patients were forced to use if they want to see a doctor or nurse.
They were heavily criticised as patients were saddled with a 15p connection charge and costs of between 5p per minute to 12p per minute if they called from a BT or Virgin Media landlines.
Patients using a mobile phone faced charges of up to 40p per minute.
Both surgeries have now introduced a local 020 number.
Cllr Matt Kelcher, a Labour councillor for Kensal Green, was at the forefront of the year long campaign.
He said: “I’m delighted that the surgeries are coming into line with other local GP surgeries by using local call numbers.
“Tt is particularly important at this time that our vital public services are accessible to those who rely upon them.”
Related link: Patients charged premium rate to call two GP surgeries in Brent
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