A surgery's controversial move to change its phone number could be short-lived.

The Friarsgate Practice in central Winchester is adopting a new 0870-code, meaning that calls will be charged at national rate.

Mid Hampshire Primary Care Trust has insisted that patients will not be left out of pocket.

They say the new phone system, provided by Network Europe Group (NEG), will be more efficient and lead to shorter call times.

Some patients disagree and are concerned that scrapping the local 01962-code will lead to higher phone bills. Over 200 surgeries across Britain have switched to national rate phone numbers and the Government announced earlier this week that it was looking into the matter.

A Department of Health spokesman said: "We're investigating with the view of banning the 0870-numbers."

He added that they were worried about patients paying too much for calls and that a decision would be made in a few weeks.

Mid Hampshire PCT has said that if 0870-numbers are banned then the Friarsgate Practice would revert to a local line once their contract with NEG expires.

The number at the Friarsgate Practice changes from 01962-854091 to 0870-4299717 on Thursday, February 24th.