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Starting next week, all GP surgeries across England will display a new system called Jess’s Rule, aimed at encouraging doctors to reconsider diagnoses if a patient has been seen three times without a clear medical conclusion. This patient safety initiative is inspired by the story of Jessica Brady, who tragically passed away from advanced stage four cancer in 2020 at just 27 years old.
Jessica had reached out to her GP more than 20 times while feeling unwell, but her symptoms were initially attributed to long Covid, with doctors believing she was “too young for cancer.” Her mother, Andrea Brady, expressed her support for the government’s decision to widely promote the campaign, stating on BBC Breakfast, “We still need to trust our doctors but trust ourselves as well.”
The core principle behind Jess’s Rule encourages GPs to adopt a fresh perspective when a patient’s symptoms remain unexplained or worsen after three consultations. Jessica, who worked as an engineer for Airbus, began feeling ill in June 2020. Her family initially thought her illness was minor, but it soon became clear otherwise. As Andrea recounted, the physical pain Jessica endured—alongside the mental strain—was deeply distressing. During her illness, Jessica saw six different doctors and had three face-to-face meetings with her family GP, yet no specialist referral was made until her family sought private care. It was then that Jessica received a terminal diagnosis of adenocarcinoma, a glandular cancer, in November 2020. She passed away just three weeks later, shortly before Christmas.
The government believes that putting up posters in consultation rooms will enhance patient safety by prompting clinicians to revisit records, question initial assumptions, and stay vigilant for warning signs that might otherwise be overlooked. Health Secretary Wes Streeting emphasized the importance of the initiative: “Every patient deserves to be heard, and every serious illness deserves to be caught early. Jess’s Rule makes that possible—reminding clinicians to take a fresh look when symptoms persist, and empowering patients to speak up about their care.” Andrea reflected on her family’s motivation, explaining that Jess had hoped to create meaningful change following her diagnosis. She highlighted the significance of the campaign being positively received by primary care professionals, adding that Jess’s Rule is designed to support both patients and doctors alike.
The posters were created by Jessica’s parents, Andrea and Simon, in collaboration with NHS England and the Department of Health. Funding came from the Jessica Brady Cedar Trust, established to honor her memory. NHS England’s national medical director, Dr. Claire Fuller, reinforced the message by stating, “Encouraging GP teams to challenge a diagnosis when it matters most could save lives by avoiding missed or late diagnoses.”
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More
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