CALLS to some GP surgeries could get cheaper as the Government looks into banning the use of premium-rate phone lines.

Two surgeries in Thurrock currently use 0870 numbers for patients to make appointments, find out test results and ask questions.

Now, according to the Department of Health, these numbers could soon be outlawed to stop patients paying over the top for calls to GPs.

The Health Centre, in Crammavill Street, Stifford Clays began using an 0870 number 15 months ago to offer a better service.

Practice manager, Steve Dance, said: "All systems have their pros and cons, we had a problem where people were trying to get through to the centre but only getting an engaged tone and never knowing when the phone was going to be answered. Now people may wait a bit longer but at least they know they are through to somebody. Sadly, you can't please everyone."

Mr Dance added that as far as he was concerned the surgery had implemented the system successfully and that there was a mis-representation over the cost of premium-rate lines.

NEG -- the company which installed the system in Stifford Clays Health Centre --said that 0870 numbers could work out cheaper because the phone systems were more efficient.

This, however, has not stopped the Government looking into the scheme.

A Department of Health spokesperson said: "This is evidently a complex issue and we need to look at the wider implications to the NHS. Patients shouldn't pay over the top for calls to GPs and companies shouldn't profit from the NHS."

The borough's other surgery that uses a premium-rate phone line, Aveley Medical Centre in High Street, was unavailable for comment.