GPs in England are now required to adhere to a new guideline called ‘Jess’s Rule’ aimed at preventing the misdiagnosis of cancer cases.
The rule is named after Jessica Brady, who tragically passed away from cancer at the age of 27 after multiple visits to her GP failed to identify her condition. Under this new guideline, family doctors must reassess their approach if a patient has had three unsuccessful appointments or if symptoms have worsened.
Jessica’s mother, Andrea Brady, expressed how Jessica fought for answers regarding her declining health but was not diagnosed until it was too late. Despite enduring shocking news, Jessica remained courageous and determined to advocate for herself.
Jessica, an engineer at Airbus, sought medical help around 20 times over six months, reporting symptoms like abdominal pain, coughing, vomiting, and weight loss. Despite receiving virtual consultations due to pandemic restrictions, she was misdiagnosed with long Covid and told her symptoms were not serious due to her age.
After her mother arranged a private consultation, Jessica was diagnosed with advanced cancer that had spread throughout her body. Tragically, she passed away just three weeks after her diagnosis.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting commended Jessica Brady’s family for their advocacy in light of her preventable death. The introduction of Jess’s Rule aims to ensure thorough and compassionate care for every patient, enhancing the early detection of potentially life-threatening conditions.
The rule encourages GPs to seek second opinions, conduct physical examinations in person, order additional tests, and refer patients to specialists when necessary. A recent report revealed that young adults often require multiple GP visits before receiving a cancer diagnosis, highlighting the importance of remaining vigilant towards symptoms indicating serious illnesses.
Dr. Claire Fuller, England’s National Medical Director, praised the efforts of Jessica’s family in championing this initiative, emphasizing the potential of Jess’s Rule to save lives by avoiding delayed diagnoses and providing timely treatment.
The Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) has collaborated with NHS England to develop Jess’s Rule, promoting reflection and timely action in uncertain medical situations. GPs are urged to prioritize continuity of care for patients with persistent health concerns by conducting thorough examinations and ordering appropriate tests.
The implementation of Jess’s Rule is expected to improve patient safety by expediting the diagnosis of cancer and other illnesses. It is crucial for specialist teams to be adequately resourced to manage potential increases in referrals resulting from the guideline’s enforcement.