New NHS Rule Aims to Improve Cancer Diagnosis Following Patient’s Tragic Death
English GPs are now implementing “Jess’s rule,” a new guideline designed to ensure patients receive timely and accurate diagnoses, particularly for serious conditions like cancer. The rule stems from the preventable death of Jessica Brady, a young woman from Stevenage, Hertfordshire, who died just three weeks after being diagnosed wiht adenocarcinoma.
Brady’s case highlighted potential failings in the initial diagnostic process. Despite repeated attempts to seek medical attention, she wasn’t diagnosed until after a private consultation. she passed away in hospital while receiving oxygen support.
Developed jointly by NHS England and the Royal college of General Practitioners, Jess’s rule mandates that GPs reconsider a patient’s case if their symptoms worsen or a credible diagnosis remains elusive. This means a re-evaluation of the patient’s condition and exploration of option possibilities.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting described Jessica Brady’s death as “a preventable and unnecessary tragedy” and praised her family’s tireless advocacy. He stated the rule is intended to bolster patient safety within the NHS, ensuring “thorough, compassionate and safe care” and supporting GPs in identifying potentially life-threatening illnesses.
The initiative began as a petition launched by Jessica’s mother, Andrea Brady, who garnered nearly 500,000 signatures on Change.org - making it the platform’s largest healthcare petition since the pandemic. Alongside the rule, Andrea Brady also advocated for increased funding for specialist referrals and a return to more face-to-face appointments.
Andrea Brady dedicated the rule to young people diagnosed with illnesses too late, emphasizing her daughter’s determination to advocate for her own health.
Jess’s rule also seeks to address disparities in diagnosis rates,specifically for younger patients and those from minority ethnic backgrounds. Research from the Nuffield Trust and the health Foundation revealed that half of 16- to 24-year-olds require three or more interactions with healthcare professionals before receiving a cancer diagnosis, compared to one in five across the general population.
Professor Kamila Hawthorne, chair of the Royal College of GPs, acknowledged the challenges of diagnosing serious illnesses in primary care due to overlapping symptoms.She expressed hope that formalizing the re-evaluation process with Jess’s rule will reinforce best practices and improve patient outcomes.
