Or the bricks at the top, mounted vertically with the hole upwards, and a false panel at the top to provide access. Obviously not a supporting wall though. I'd have thought access to the edge would have been possible for the odd brick in a wall as well.
"All in all it's just another brick in the wall": Pink Floyd, The Wall
Max: it does feel quite new, but I'll have to nip round to B&Q to find those ones you mention!