NHS England introduce Jess's rule for GP patients
Jess's Rule will ask GPs to think again if, after three appointments, they have been unable to offer a substantiated diagnosis or the patient's symptoms have got worse.
Many GP practices already use similar approaches in complex cases, but Jess's Rule will make this standard practice across England. The rule aims to reduce health inequalities and ensure everyone – regardless of age or background – receives the same high standard of care.
Designed in collaboration with the Chair of the Royal College of General Practitioners and NHS England, Jess's Rule will help to catch serious conditions earlier.
How did Jess's Rule come about?
Jess’s Rule is named in memory of Jessica Brady, who died of cancer in December 2020 at the age of 27, and will help avoid tragic, preventable deaths as GPs are supported to catch potentially deadly illnesses sooner.
In the five months leading up to her death, Jessica had more than twenty appointments with her GP practice but eventually had to seek private healthcare.
She was later diagnosed with stage 4 adenocarcinoma. With such an advanced disease, there was no available treatment. She was admitted into hospital where she died three weeks later.
