Whitwell Surgery Number Change

The Whitwell Surgery branch of Crags Health Care no longer use the local 01909 number any more and currently has an 0844 number that you have to ring when you want an appointment, prescription, advice or test results. For anyone needing to call this number you're charged up to 5p/minute for BT and TalkTalk and for Sky up to 6p/minute or if you are using a mobile you're being charged 25p-40p/minute. Some people have been on hold in the mornings for longer than 10 minutes, the costs soon add up.

Many people have complained about the 0844 number since it was introduced and nothing has ever been done about it, what is more you can't walk in and make an appointment, you simply get turned away. It's by telephone only and you can only book for that day, never in advance.

There's a high rate of low income families and elderly people in this village so what about the people who can't afford to call an 0844 number and be left holding for ages? Where do they stand? You're all for helping the community but it's more like helping yourself by lining your pockets.

It's a local doctors surgery, make it a local number!