Priory Gardens GP surgery in Bedfordshire published a notice on their website (pictured below) asking patients to “support your local surgery” and “decline the vaccination” offered at a pharmacy because vaccination fees are a “vital part of the services we provide”.

C+D reader and public sector worker Amjid Hussain pointed out that the definition of “accost” means to stop and speak to someone in a threatening way. “I am usually 'accosted' by drunks as I walk to the station,” Mr Hussain added.

Another C+D commenter, posting as 'Honest Tikes', said he is “accosted daily in my pharmacy by patients who cannot have an appointment with their GP for two weeks”.

C+D has approached both the surgery and the General Medical Council (GMC) for comment, but had not received either at time of going to press.

The GMC warned last year that it could investigate registrants who "inappropriately influence" where patients decide to have their flu vaccination.

Last week, C+D received reports of GP practices threatening to "delist" patients who receive their flu jab in a pharmacy.