The receptionists hold the power and it's disgraceful.
Last year I needed a repeat prescription for a condition I have ( cluster headaches) but was told that because I hadn't seen a doctor for two years this was impossible unless I had a new appointment to renew my prescription. The next available appointment was 3 weeks, by which time my head attacks had stopped so I had to suffer without my pills.
3 weeks ago, my attacks started again so I rang my doctors, explained my situation and she said.
" No problem I will order you a repeat prescription"
It's farcical.
They make it up as they go.