The idea
I am concerned about access to doctors on the NHS if the receptionist decides you don't merit an appointment with your doctor. I was told I could not even speak to my doctor on the phone, so I made the decision to go to a private doctor. I could not explain to my doctor why I failed to make my next apppointment.
Why is it important?
Only doctors can be held legally responsible for listening to a patient and forming a judgment, rather than just collecting and evaluating technical data. I believe my health would be at risk from medication decisions based only on policy and computer regulations that professionals below the rank of doctor would not be able to modify.
While I believe that individual nurses and medical experts can be superior to individual doctors, only doctors have to take professional responsibity for their patient, and this is legal protection for the rights of the patient.