A new NHS patient-safety initiative called Jess’s Rule has recently been launched across England. The rule is designed to help prevent missed or delayed diagnoses of serious illnesses by giving GPs clearer guidance when a patient keeps returning with the same, or worsening, symptoms, a simple but vital reminder to pause, review, and reassess when something doesn’t feel right.
Alissa Dola, a Trainee Clinical Negligence Solicitor at Waldrons Solicitors, says the initiative represents a positive cultural shift in healthcare accountability. Having supported many clients affected by delayed or missed diagnoses, Alissa believes Jess’s Rule has the potential to save lives by promoting earlier intervention and encouraging GPs to take persistent symptoms seriously.
Jess’s Story
Jess’s Rule was named in memory of Jessica Brady, who sadly passed away in 2021 at just 27 years old after her cancer went undiagnosed for several months.
Jess had contacted her GP surgery around 20 times over a five-month period with concerns of abdominal pain. Her symptoms were repeatedly attributed to a urinary tract infection or ‘long COVID’, despite her never testing positive and no physical examinations or investigations being carried out.
Eventually, her family sought a private consultation, where scans revealed stage 4 adenocarcinoma, a form of cancer that had already spread. Tragically, Jess passed away just weeks later.
Her story sparked a national campaign by her parents, leading to the creation of Jess’s Rule to ensure patients who repeatedly seek help are never dismissed or overlooked again.
What Is Jess’s Rule?
The rule is based on a “three strikes and review” principle. If a patient visits their GP three times with the same or worsening symptoms and no clear diagnosis is reached, the GP should reflect, review, and rethink.
This simple step encourages a fresh look at the patient’s situation, whether that means re-examining symptoms, arranging tests, or referring to a specialist.
Why Jess’s Rule Matters for Clinical Negligence Cases
Jess’s Rule does not alter the legal test for clinical negligence, but it reinforces professional expectations around duty of care and patient safety.
In negligence law, a claimant must still prove that:
- The care provided fell below the standard of a reasonably competent professional, and
- Harm was caused as a result.
While the rule itself isn’t legally binding, it sets a clearer benchmark for good clinical practice, encouraging doctors to take a proactive, reflective approach that could prevent avoidable harm. Over time, it may help shape stronger expectations of accountability and responsiveness within the NHS.
Alissa’s Angle: “Jess’s Rule is a simple but powerful step towards safer healthcare. It’s about creating a culture where patients are truly listened to, and where persistent symptoms are never dismissed. For families like Jess’s, the tragedy lies not only in what happened but in how easily it might have been prevented. If this rule helps even one GP pause, review and act sooner, it will have made a life-saving difference.”
