Jess’s Rule launches: three strikes and we rethink
- Healthwatch Wokingham
- 3 days ago
- 2 min read
Updated: 18 hours ago
Jess’s Rule is a new patient safety initiative being displayed in every GP surgery in England from this week onwards. It is designed to help doctors spot serious illnesses earlier by encouraging them to take a "fresh eyes" approach when symptoms continue.
How it works
Strike One: A patient visits their GP with symptoms.
Strike Two: The patient returns because the symptoms continue or worsen.
Strike Three: The patient attends again and there is still no clear diagnosis.
At this point, doctors are encouraged to stop and rethink.
What does 'rethink' mean?
It may include:
Reviewing the patient’s medical history
Arranging a face-to-face appointment
Ordering further tests or investigations
Asking a colleague for a second opinion
Making a referral if needed
Why Jess’s Rule matters
Jess’s Rule is named in memory of Jessica Brady (Jess), who died of stage four cancer in 2020 at the age of 27. In the five months before her diagnosis, Jess contacted her GP more than 20 times with ongoing symptoms. Her illness was diagnosed too late to be treated.
By reminding clinicians to pause and reassess after repeated visits, Jess’s Rule aims to reduce missed or delayed diagnoses and ensure patients feel listened to when symptoms continue.
Jess’s Rule will particularly benefit younger patients and those from ethnic minority backgrounds who often face delays in diagnosis of serious conditions.
A report from the Nuffield Trust and the Health Foundation on cancer diagnosis in younger people and people of minority ethnicities found that half of 16 to 24-year-olds required three or more interactions with a healthcare professional from a GP practice before being diagnosed with cancer, compared to one in five people across the whole population.
You can read the full Government press release here:
How Healthwatch Wokingham Borough can help
We are here to make sure your voice is heard - your voice matters!
If you feel Jess’s Rule hasn’t been followed in your care, you can tell us about your experience.
Your feedback helps us work with the NHS locally to improve how services are delivered.
Call: 0118 418 1418
Email: enquiries@healthwatchwokingham.co.uk
Online: Click here to complete a short online form.
