Please be aware that as a practice we will not prescribe diazepam for patients having investigative procedures.
We would be grateful if you could discuss this with the relevant specialist/consultant/surgeon/dentist who has requested this, the responsibility lies with them, and they can prescribe as they see fit.
The reasons for this are;
- GPs are not regularly involved or trained to provide the correct level of sedation for a procedure/scan.
- A patient may take a sedative an hour before their assumed procedure, to then attend the hospital and find that the procedure has been delayed, therefore the timing of the medication being sub optimal.
- It is the responsibility of the hospital consultants/doctor requesting the imaging/procedure to prescribe medication if they deem necessary. They can do this through the hospital pharmacy or organising a prescription themselves.
- Sedated patients should be monitored regularly for any adverse effects of the medication.
The Royal College of Radiologists sets out clear guidance for sedation in hospital radiology departments Clinical radiology publications | The Royal College of Radiologists which states “Sedation and analgesia should be administered by a competent and well-trained clinician and oversight provided by a sedation committee within the institution”.