Jess’s Rule: New GP guidance will save lives
GPs will be urged to make further investigations into patients whose symptoms do not improve after three appointments, after a woman died because of a missed diagnosis.
Jessica Brady died of aggressive stage 4 adenocarcinoma at the age of just 27 in the winter of 2020 after doctors repeatedly dismissed her escalating symptoms as long Covid.
She had been to her doctors more than 20 times in just six months but was considered too young to have cancer.
Jess finally paid privately to see a doctor where she was diagnosed – but by this time it was too late to treat the cancer. She sadly died just three weeks later.
Many of our clients have faced similar experiences, having their symptoms dismissed. For some, an initial wrong diagnosis is accepted by subsequent doctors without any further investigation being carried out. Often this is because of time pressures within GP practices and NHS budgets, but there is also confirmation bias. Medics simply accept the first doctor was probably right and continue with a treatment path for the incorrect diagnosis without re-examining the symptoms.
Following her death, Jess’s family advocated relentlessly in the face of unimaginable grief to make a change. They fought to put something in place to avoid this happening again to other young adults.
This week, the Government announced a new patient safety initiative, named after Jess. Jess’s Rule will require GPs to think again if, after three appointments, they have been unable to offer a substantiated diagnosis or the patient’s symptoms have escalated.
GPs should consider referring these patients for further tests, or seeking a second opinion.
GPs are encouraged to ensure continuity of care, so patients are seen by the same doctor for the same condition. This will enable plans to be followed through so GPs can see whether symptoms are improving.
Sadly, for many of our clients, delays in referring for further investigation caused their condition to deteriorate. In cases where cancer is diagnosed late, it can make the difference between life and death, as it did for Jess.
While many GP practices have similar guidelines in place already, this nationwide initiative will provide uniform care around the country.
Jess’s Rule will undoubtedly save lives.
