UK’s FIRST Medical Advice now available 24/7 over the phone

A telephone system has now been setup in the UK allowing callers to speak to a qualified Doctor specialising in certain fields of medical practice. Callers simply dial a premium rate number to be connected to a GMC qualified UK Doctor within 60 seconds, available 24 hours a day, without having to speak to a receptionist or waiting for a call back.

StealthNET Ltd, a provider of premium rate and IVR services, has teamed up with PhoneTheDoctor.com to offer this brand new service for the public. Shaun Freeman, of StealthNET says “The PhoneTheDoctor.com service is an excellent move in a positive direction for the premium rate industry, offering a true value added service appealing to a wide range of people, such as those that are too busy to take time off work to make an appointment, as well as people who are embarrassed or don’t have time to speak to a Doctor about non-urgent medical issues. There are a lot of men in particular who are embarrassed to go to a Doctor”.

The talk to a doctor service is available through a premium rate number, callers are informed of the call costs, along with details of the qualifications of the Doctors, they are then given the choice to select the medical field that applies to them, for example Men’s health or Surgical questions to name a couple, they will then be connected to a waiting Doctor, allowing for a maximum call of 20 minutes. Callers can ask for the Doctors PIN number, allowing them to reuse the service and be connected to the same Doctor again if available. Callers do not need to leave their names or any details, allowing for complete anonymity.

The out-of-hours service run by the NHS, NHS Direct and NHS 24, have achieved great things, but PhoneTheDoctor.com serves a different purpose, the difference is being able to get straight through to a Doctor. You can choose which specialty area you want to talk about through the phone menu. The other thing that we provide is the opportunity for people to talk
through conditions with the service actively encouraging callers to ask questions.

Dr Catherine Laraman, one of the Doctors available on call on the phone service, said; “People can bank from home and shop from home, the next logical step was for people to have access to immediate medical advice from home. With Talk To A Doctor there is always a Doctor waiting to give advice.”

Users can try the service on 0906 505 0223, at a cost of £1.50 per minute.

Additionally, Talk To A Counsellor is also available, serving a similar purpose but connecting callers directly to counsellors.

The service is not intended to replace face-to-face consultations and should not be used for emergencies. All calls are recorded in compliances with ICSTIS, the regulatory body for premium rate.

Calls cost £1.50 per minute from a BT landline. 24 hrs 7 days a week. Callers must have bill payer’s permission and be over 18. All calls are recorded but you do not have to give your name. All Doctors are GMC registered and either fully qualified GPs or post membership hospital specialists. Not for emergency use, diagnosis or prognosis. Not designed to replace a face to face consultation with a medical professional, and any callers taking such advice in isolation do so at their own risk. In the case of a medical emergency, dial 999. Calls last a maximum of 20 minutes. Service provided by StealthNET Ltd, PO Box 202, Gt Yarmouth, NR31 7ZS. 0871 872 6162.