Policy on remote sedation
Does Ladybarn Group Practice provide sedation for medical procedures, scans, and dental work outside of practice?
We have recently had an increase in requests for sedatives ahead of scans and procedures external to Ladybarn Group Practice. In the past, this has occasionally been arranged on an ‘ad-hoc’ basis depending on individual GP judgement.
Following review of the most up to date evidence, we are now unable to prescribe any sedatives, including diazepam, for any procedure or scan which occurs outside of Ladybarn Group Practice.
If you feel you require sedation in such circumstances, please liaise directly with the team who are undertaking the procedure or scan. They are responsible for providing this.
There are a number of reasons why we do not prescribe in these circumstances
GPs are not trained in providing sedation for procedures and scans. If we prescribe too low a dose, this will mean you will not benefit from the sedation. If we prescribe too high a dose this can dangerously affect your breathing, which can have catastrophic consequences. It is vital you have monitoring during your scan or procedure if you are sedated
Diazepam can have a paradoxical effect and rather than providing sedation, can cause agitation and aggression. This would be very dangerous if it occurred within a confined space such as an MRI scanner
Please feel free to share this policy with your hospital team or dentist.
RCR Publications Sedation, Analgesia And Anaesthesia In The Radiology Department Second Edition