Breaking News…
Apr 4th 2007PeterLife on hold!
A week or so ago I received a comment on my post “The Patientline Scam” and I remarked on it here in the main blog. It in turn prompted a ‘robust’ reply from fellow blogger John! Patientline’s charges have been under investigation by OfCom for a while now, and this morning there was a report on both the BBC’s Breakfast programme and Radio 4’s Today programme about a change in prices – a reduction in televion charges from £3.50/day to £2.90, accompanied by a 160% rise in outgoing call charges from 10p/min to 26p/min! The BBC text can be found here.
Not much else to report on my health – I am still cautiously optimistic about the GvHd – my skin seems to be getting itchier, especially my scalp and palms, although no obvious rashes or skin thickening, so it remains a case of wait and see! My mouth is still sore, and I have been relying more on the scandishake supplements to maintain my calorie intake, although I am using them as a supplement rather than a replacement!
That said – I can hear the call of a bacon and mushroom sandwich – so I had better go and answer it!
Onwards and upwards!
PS – early afternnon – The Paytientline (a not inappropriate typo!) site has been updated to reflect the fact that outgoing calls cost “just” 26p per minute (my quote) and the drop in TV prices, which now include internet access. However it looks as if they may have dropped the half price concession for those over 65 (at least there is no mention of it). If that is the case – nice one PatientLine – rip off those least able to afford it! While I was looking for the info, it appears that around mid-March, Patientline shares were being ‘pumped and dumped’ as there were a number of those spam emails urging investors to buy shares! As I am not regulated by the FSA, I can’t give investment advice, but with the shares at an all time low, and given the adverse publicity PL have been getting, you can draw your own conclusions!
8 Responses to “Breaking News…”
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Neil G on 04 Apr 2007 at 12:16 pm #
Heard the story on the radio this morning and thought about you and your comments – now even more of a “rip off”
Good news about the skin etc – hope you all have a good Easter and good luck to you all for the Wedding Fair
Best wishes
O&U
Peter on 04 Apr 2007 at 12:45 pm #
Thank you! Just considering the 18th and 19th April…
Elspeth on 04 Apr 2007 at 6:51 pm #
I too heard about the Patientline on TV and remain astonished that they can justify increases because “it is better than it was when patients had to go to the corridor etc to make calls….” Roll on hospitals making mobiles more available, since nowadays they cause less interferrance (so I bellieve).
O&U for the continuing rumblings of GvHD -sorry about the unpleasant side of things but it will be worth it for the result we all want for you. Eveerything crossed. L’n’Hs, E
Richard on 04 Apr 2007 at 6:54 pm #
Hope for effective GvHD soon to reassure you (and us) that things are working to plan.
On PaytientLine although it is horrible to be charged a supplement for using someone else’s phone I can see the logic and some justification, but if hospitals continue to ban mobiles for non technical reasons then it looks more and more like a scam. BUT the real ripoff is the incoming charge “Calls to patients from outside the hospital cost 39p per minute off-peak and 49p a minute at peak times.” Poor people ringing in would stand no chance of avoiding the charges or perhaps even knowing that they were being levied. Some GPs tried a similar system with the telephone provider making a kick back to the surgery. Again vulnerable people having to phone in and often wait without knowing that the call charges are racking up.
Aahhhhhhhhhgh…
just fell off Peter’s soapbox.
John on 04 Apr 2007 at 8:16 pm #
Quite simply Peter, Here Here!! as far as Patientcrime are concerned.
As for the tight skin i’ve got a load spare and it’s the industrial Itchyness type if you want it, free to a good home???
See Ya!!
Richard on 04 Apr 2007 at 7:25 pm #
What about registering Paytientcrime? Sounds apt to me.
People do not know how the system works I was at a charity meeting today and one of the ‘coaches’ said that he rang his client in the USA to save him money……errr if you ring his mobile he will be charged the divert charges.
Liz on 04 Apr 2007 at 8:09 pm #
Good to catch up on your news, Peter.
And, Richard, I quite agree with your point about registering “Paytientcrime”. Dad is in hospital at the moment and there is certainly no “over-65s” rebate. It certainly is a scam, as one of the nursing staff told us that mobiles don’t interfere with equipment nowadays.
Lots of love,
Liz
Peter on 05 Apr 2007 at 10:21 am #
Thank you all – glad to see you are still there! Plenty of room on my soapbox Richard!