Wow. Have you tried the other legal routes first, such as getting a second opinion, asking for a referral to specialist care for the back, hip or the pain, switching doctors if you don’t get on with your current ones, and/or seeking a private consultation with any likely-looking workplace, trade union or commercial doctor near you? Going private wouldn’t be cheap, but might be cheaper than getting caught with controlled meds in some sort of sting.

The NHS is a wonderful thing, but sometimes people don’t seem to realise that the GP you are currently registered with is not the only option. They go ask the GP, get turned away, then just take matters into their own hands.