Patients often ask if sedatives can be prescribed before radiological procedures (e.g., CT or MRI scans). It is important to note that it is NOT safe for GP practices to prescribe sedatives for these purposes. We are aware of a case where a patient was given sedatives by a GP, and was not monitored during the MRI scan and subsequently had a respiratory arrest.
Sedation and analgesia should only be provided by a trained and credentialed team that has access to anaesthetics, pre-procedure assessment, a sedation plan and checklist, appropriate monitoring, and resuscitation equipment, along with reversal agents
GPs are not skilled, trained or appraised in sedation.
To ensure patients are properly sedated for procedures and monitored appropriately, we will decline all requests for prescriptions in situations where the procedure team is unaware of the sedation administered by general practice, even if the hospital requests it. When a referral for imaging is made, it may be helpful to note on the referral form that an assessment by the radiology team for support during the procedure may be required.