I faced a serious health scare when I developed serotonin syndrome as a result of a dosage change with the medication Duloxetine. This situation could have been prevented if a blood test had been conducted prior to prescribing the medication to ensure its compatibility with my system. Unfortunately, within the NHS, such precautionary measures are not standard practice, even though they are in private healthcare.

The current protocol in the NHS often overlooks the necessity of conducting blood tests to determine medication compatibility, which can potentially lead to harmful and life-threatening reactions. Private healthcare providers, however, routinely perform these tests, ensuring that medications are safe and suitable for each patient. By not implementing similar protocols, the NHS is putting patients at unnecessary risk.

In 2020, a study published in the BMJ found that over 7% of patients experience adverse drug reactions, a significant portion of which could be avoided with preliminary blood testing. Such reactions not only compromise patient safety but also place additional strain on the healthcare system due to extended hospital stays and additional treatments.

Requiring blood tests before prescribing medication would align the NHS's practices with those of private healthcare providers and significantly enhance patient safety. This preventive measure would ensure that all prescribed medications are compatible with a patient's individual biochemistry, thereby reducing the risk of severe side effects and improving overall treatment outcomes.

I urge the Department of Health and Social Care to mandate blood testing for medication compatibility as a standard practice within the NHS. This policy change is not just about aligning with private healthcare standards but about safeguarding the health and well-being of every patient under NHS care.

Please join me in calling for this crucial change. Your signature can help protect countless patients from preventable adverse drug reactions and improve the standard of care for everyone. Sign this petition to make the NHS safer for all.