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As a precaution, I name patient (2,4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

in case

'as a precaution' is the definition.
(just in case)

'i name patient' is the wordplay.
'name' becomes 'n' (common abbreviation e.g. on forms).
'patient' becomes 'case' (synonyms).
'i'+'n'+'case'='IN CASE'

(Other definitions for in case that I've seen before include "As a precaution" , "Packed" , "Where traveller may keep clothes" , "for emergency" , "In order to allow for eventualities" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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