A handful of GP surgeries in South Staffordshire are continuing to make money by using premium rate phone numbers, it has emerged.

The numbers, which start with 0844 and cost 5p a minute, work by charging a premium rate to patients and part of the excess cost that a patient pays is paid to the surgeries by the telephone companies.

This has sparked criticism from patients’ groups and even the Department of Health, which in December 2006 said patients should not be “exploited” by the practice.

Health Secretary Alan Johnson has also spoken against the use of premium rate numbers in Parliament, telling MPs that patients should not have to pay more than a local rate call. He added that the use of 0844 numbers could amount to a breach of the GP contract.

While most practices now use local rate numbers, a small number are still using the 0844 numbers, including six in South Staffordshire.

They are Salters Meadow Health Centre, Chase Terrace; Barton-Under-Needwood Health Centre in Barton; Dr I M Turner & Partners in Coven; Dr I M Turner & Partners in Brewood, and The Aldergate Practice and The Hollies Medical Practice, both in Tamworth.