We are unable to prescribe sedatives, such as diazepam, for any procedure or scan being undertaken outside of the surgery, this includes MRI scans and dental procedures.
If you feel you need sedation in such circumstances, please speak to the team undertaking the procedure or scan, as they are responsible for providing this if needed.
Sedatives are medicines which make patients sleepy and relaxed. There are several reasons why healthcare clinicians at the surgery do not prescribe these medicines for procedures outside of our practice:
- GPs are not trained to provide the correct level of sedation for a procedure / scan. Providing too little sedation won’t help you, providing too much sedation can make you too sleepy, which could lead to the procedure being cancelled. Too much sedation can dangerously affect your breathing. After taking a sedative for a procedure or scan, you will need to be closely monitored to keep you safe.
- Although diazepam makes most people who take it sleepy, in some rare situations it can have an opposite effect and make people aggressive or agitated.
- Scans and hospital procedures are often delayed, therefore the team performing the procedure or scan should provide the sedation, to ensure you become sleepy and relaxed at the right time.
Feel free to show this policy to your hospital team or dentist.
Further Information
Royal College of Anaesthetists, Patient Information Leaflet:
http://rcoa.ac.uk/sites/default/files/documents/2022-06/12-SedationExp2021web.pdf
Royal College of Radiologists, “Sedation, analgesia and anaesthesia in the radiology department”
https://www.rcr.ac.uk/system/files/publication/field_publication_files/bfcr182_safe_sedation.pdf
Academy of Medical Royal Colleges, “Safe Sedation Practice for Healthcare Professionals: Standards and Guidance”
