Sedatives for patients undergoing radiological or dental procedures

We are unable to prescribe sedatives, such as diazepam, for any procedure or scan. This includes MRI/CT scans and dental procedures.

If you feel you need sedation, please speak to the team undertaking the procedure or scan, as they are responsible for providing this if needed.

There are several reasons why GPs do not prescribe sedatives in these scenarios:

• GPs are not trained to provide the correct level of sedation for a procedure / scan. Providing too little sedation won’t help you and 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. It is essential that the team doing the procedure are aware that you have taken a sedative and the dose you have taken so you can be closely monitored. 
• Hospital consultants, both those requesting imaging and those providing it, have access to the same prescribing abilities as GPs (as do dentists). They are therefore best positioned to provide these prescriptions if deemed necessary. 
• In some rare situations sedatives can have an opposite effect and make people aggressive or agitated.
• Scans and hospital procedures are often delayed, therefore the team performing he 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.