Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, Pearl Medical has teamed up with Ring2 to give all members their own virtual conference facility available with access 24 - 7. The only costs incurred to anyone are that of an 0871 call when dialling in to the conference.`

A BlackBerry is a device that allows you access to your e-mail, calendar, contacts and the Internet through the mobile telephone network. BlackBerry devices use the latest technology to do this automatically so you don't have to look for new e-mails and updates, they will appear automatically on your BlackBerry. The Blackberry also functions as a normal mobile phone, allowing voice and SMS text messaging.

Yes, in fact you can Pre-register for this service now

A new 'GP Access' system, allowing GPs to access patient records on the move via their BlackBerry, was officially announced at the EMIS National User Group conference on Thursday 21st September.

This is an exciting development for Pearl Medical and represents the next level of electronic access to patient records, giving GPs vital patient information at their finger tips, wherever they are.

Yes. You need to notify your existing Network provider and request a Porting Authority Code (PAC). Once you have completed your Pearl Medical membership, you can log in to the members' area and complete the request online. You need to enter your PAC Code, the number that you wish ported over and in some cases you can specify the port date.

You will be contracted to spend a maximum of 10 minutes per week answering market research questionnaires through the BlackBerry device or on-line from a PC with Internet access.

We have negotiated a preferential pay-as-you-go tariff that will give you the following (exclusive of VAT):

Tariff

Calls to same network	4p /minute, anytime
Calls to voicemail	4p /minute, anytime
Calls to landlines (excl. 0845 and 0870 numbers)	5p /minute, anytime
Calls to other mobile networks	20p /minute, peak time
Calls to other mobile networks	15p /minute, off peak
0800 numbers	Free (Orange), 5p (Vodafone)
Line rental	Free
SMS messaging (any network)	5p /message
Data usage e.g. e-mail and web	Included in Membership fee

So, in answer to the question, very competitive.

The only additional charges that you will incur will be for the use of the voice and text (SMS) message features on the BlackBerry device, and if you wish to use the device abroad. In the UK there is no per-Megabyte data usage fee as you may be accustomed to with other mobile phone plans.

We accept Card payments with Switch / Maestro, Visa or MasterCard. You will receive a monthly bill in arrears via e-mail. A full account statement and old bills will be visible from within the Pearl Medical site. Payment via direct debit will be possible in 2007.

Everyone receives a 30-day no-obligation free trial of the service, after which time you can chose to either not continue with the service and return the device to us, or become a member and start paying the monthly membership fees. If at any time during this 30-day trial period you decide to not use the service you will have to return the device to us. Please note, the device and all materials must be returned to us in a fit state as there may be additional charges for damage to the Pearl Medical device or peripherals.

Please notify Pearl Medical at least 3 days prior to your departure, where our Customer Support team will be happy to arrange for roaming to be activated on your account. Roaming will need to be activated every time you intend to go abroad, therefore please notify the support team before each trip.

If you wish to use your BlackBerry whilst abroad, there is an additional roaming data charge of £8 per megabyte (as used by e-mail and web browsing). The roaming voice tariff adheres to the standard network roaming charges are usually dictated on the network operators' website. If you do not wish to pay an extra charge to roam your device, you can still access your Pearl Medical e-mail and calendar information from any PC with Internet access, as may be found in any Internet Cafe.

All Pearl Medical devices are covered by a comprehensive insurance policy that covers accidental damage and loss. Once you have reported damage to the device, we shall disable the damaged one and issue you with a new one at no additional charge. The new device will be pre-loaded with your Pearl Medical information allowing you to get back up and running quickly. Remember that the Pearl Medical service will always back-up each time you make an new entry or send an e-mail. You don't need to remember to synchronise your device with as it is done automatically.

We are in negotiations with patient record providers to add this functionality to the Pearl Medical system. Technically this is possible, but we are currently making sure we can provide you with the best solution with the best providers. All users will be notified as we continue in this aim and we would welcome your feedback and suggestions of how to make this work for you.

You will be able to open and read Word, Excel, PowerPoint and PDF files on the BlackBerry, but not edit them.

Although we feel sure you will have no problems with the Pearl Medical service, we do appreciate that some users may require help. There is a comprehensive support library available online on our site and all devices will be dispatched with a quick-start guide to help you get up and running quickly. Failing that, you can e-mail us and we will endeavour to resolve your query, although you must remember we don't provide technical support for things such as your computer, software or Internet access.

Any problems with the device, network, service or access to your data will be managed by the Pearl Medical support staff. Contact us via e-mail at support@pearlmedical.co.uk or through our telephone support helpline: 0845 330 1917.

All of the communication between your BlackBerry or PC and the Pearl Medical servers will be encrypted with industry-standard 128-bit encryption. The Pearl Medical servers themselves are housed in a secure hosting facility and accessible only to authorised Pearl Medical staff. Multiple backups are taken each day and stored apart from the main Pearl Medical systems.

Your personal data is protected as covered by our privacy policy and terms and conditions. With regard to its physical safety, your data is stored in several highly secure locations alongside a number of high profile clients recognised worldwide.

All communication between Pearl Medical Servers and your BlackBerry or PC is encrypted with an industry standard 128-bit encryption Secure Socket Layer (SSL), that is used the world over for secure transactions. Payments and e-mail alike travel over this secure connection and can not be readily intercepted by third parties.

You don't have to do anything. Our mail servers employ dedicated hardware with proven technology, award winning in fact, that ensures invasive, obtrusive and dangerous mail does not reach your account, whilst legitimate mail does.

The minimum contract term is 18 months after which time you may cancel the contract with 30 days notice. If you wish to exit the service before that time you will be liable for the remainder of the 18 month contract.

You can change your membership level from month to month, enabling you to swap to the Standard membership if you know your time commitments have changed. You will be charged the full Standard Membership price of £35 for each month in which you fail to complete the requisite amount of market research questionnaires. If you think this will happen please notify us at support@pearlmedical.co.uk

If you are on holiday/annual leave we do not require questionnaire completion. Members are advised to log in to the members' area, and fill in the 'Holiday notification and international roaming' request form.

We initially rolled out our service based on a representative demographic sample of UK GPs. If you have a colleague who you feel would be a good member of Pearl Medical, please log into our members' area and enter their e-mail details into the promotional 'Member Get Member' page. You will thereby qualify for a reward of £15 credit on your account if your colleague remains a member beyond the 30-day trial period.

The BlackBerry devices are capable of supporting both EDGE and GPRS. EDGE is a '2.5G' service that is slower than full 3G but has a far-greater coverage area. Generally speaking, EDGE speeds are equivalent to twice the speed of a standard fixed-line modem.

There are many exciting accessories available for the BlackBerry 8700, 8100 and 8800 series; Bluetooth headsets, GPS (Global Positioning System) units for in-car directions with maps and voice instructions, Car-kits, protective cases and more. Many of these will soon be available through our online shop at a special discount for Pearl Medical members.

The device is shipped pre-configured to your Pearl Medical e-mail account. We provide several methods of migrating your information to the Pearl Medical system and comprehensive illustrated guides are available within the support library on our site.

The contract you sign is exclusively with Pearl Medical Ltd. The device remains the property of Pearl Medical at all times.