"Non-urgent treatment"

I was amazed today when I called in to request a simple treatment and was told that I have to book it privately. I wouldn't mind that apart from the price. The overall cost of the treatment would be about £200! I am a student nurse, working on the front line for free and paying for this privelge and I am asked to pay about £200 for something that takes 10 minutes and costs very little! I don't have that kind of money because I have to spend it on working in the NHS. I managed to find this treatment at a cheaper price in the end but it means I will have to travel on public transport out of my area when I could have done it locally for free! I understand the pressures the practice is under and that this is probably part of government guidance, but this is getting a bit too far. I don't mind going to private provider if it wasn't so expensive or if I could have the money reimbursed. I think that it's not fair and defeats the whole purpose of the NHS, free at the point of delivery! I should have gone into medicine so that I can treat myself because I will be denied anything that is not life threatening! So unless I am dying while I am talking to the receptionist, it is a medical DIY. I will invest money in medical books instead, it will be cheaper in the long run! I thought this was UK not USA!