A DOCTOR’S practice has told patients they will no longer be able to ‘turn up and be seen’ during morning surgery – and advised them to call a premium rate number and leave their contact details instead.

Patients of the High Street Surgery and Medical Centre in Epping this week received letters advising them that, from January, open surgery in morning hours would cease.

The letter said: “Patients will have to ring the surgery and leave contact details.

“Your usual GP, if they are available, or one of the other GPs will ring you back that day.

“It will no longer be possible to turn up and be seen as at present. We are hoping this will be a more efficient way to deal with the increasing demand from patients for advice and treatment.”

The only number available for the surgery is a premium rate 0844 number - which can cost 5p per minute to call from landlines and up to 40p from mobile networks.

Practice user Fiona Daniels, 49, of Brookfield, Thornwood, said she was disappointed patients would now have no option but to call the expensive number.

“You used to be able to go before 11am to see your doctor - I’ve always been in and been seen,” she said.

“I just think it’s a total cop-out. It’s what people like me pay taxes for.

“A friend of mine was going to register there but when I told him – he’s only got a mobile and he said ‘well, how much is it going to cost me?’”

There is no legislation banning the use of 0844 numbers at GP practices and West Essex PCT is unable to stop their use.

But Loughton Health Centre last year reverted to a local landline number following pressure from patients, while Ongar Health Centre has also changed back to a normal number.

Jackie Hammond’s daughter, Kate, had to wait a day to be driven to Chigwell Medical Centre after falling seriously ill in June last year – because she was unable to afford the 0844 rates on her pay-as-you-go mobile.

But the Fencepiece Road centre – along with The Willows Medical Practice in Manford Way – is still asking patients to call the expensive 0844 numbers 18 months on.

“My daughter doesn’t have a landline, she has to rely on her mobile,” said Mrs Hammond, 55, of Copperfield, Chigwell.

“So for her to ring the doctors, it’s quite expensive – if she’s got any credit on her phone.

“Nine out of 10 times you can be on hold for anything from five to 15 minutes.”

A spokeswoman for the High Street Surgery did not want to comment on why it employed the 0844 number, but said patients were welcome to contact the practice with any concerns.