NHS England Adopts ‘Jess’s Rule’ to Improve Patient Safety and Save Lives
A new patient safety initiative, inspired by the tragic story of Jessica Brady, will transform how GPs across England diagnose serious illnesses.
NHS England and the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) have today confirmed the rollout of a vital new safety measure, known as ‘Jess’s Rule’, to ensure patients receive faster and more accurate diagnoses. The initiative introduces a “three strikes and rethink” approach, requiring GPs to reassess cases where symptoms persist, escalate, or remain undiagnosed.
The rule is named after Jessica Brady, a 27-year-old from Stevenage who tragically died in December 2020 from stage four adenocarcinoma after repeated misdiagnoses. Despite contacting her GP surgery more than 20 times with worsening symptoms – including abdominal pain, coughing, vomiting, and significant weight loss – Jessica was repeatedly told she had long Covid. Restrictions during the pandemic meant she was never seen face-to-face by her GP, and by the time she received a private consultation and correct diagnosis, it was too late. She passed away just three weeks later.
A Legacy for Change
Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting paid tribute to Jessica and her family:
“Jessica Brady’s death was a preventable and unnecessary tragedy. Her family’s courage in campaigning for change ensures that her legacy will save lives. Jess’s Rule puts patient safety at the heart of the NHS, supporting hardworking GPs to identify serious illnesses earlier and making sure no family has to endure the same heartbreak.”
The campaign for Jess’s Rule began with a petition launched by Jessica’s mother, Andrea Brady, which received nearly 500,000 signatures on Change.org – the largest healthcare petition since the Covid-19 pandemic.
Andrea Brady said:
“Jess lived for just three weeks after her cancer diagnosis, but even in that time, she was determined to make people understand how hard she had fought to be heard. Jess’s Rule is her legacy, and I dedicate this initiative to every young person who has been diagnosed too late.”
Tackling Delays in Diagnosis
Research shows that young people and ethnic minority patients are at higher risk of delayed diagnosis. Studies by the Nuffield Trust and the Health Foundation reveal that half of 16–24-year-olds required at least three GP interactions before being diagnosed with cancer – compared to just one in five across the general population.
Professor Kamila Hawthorne, Chair of the RCGP, welcomed the new rule:
“No GP ever wants to miss signs of a serious illness. Jess’s Rule reinforces best practice – if a patient’s condition is not improving, it is essential to reassess and act swiftly. This change will help us deliver safer, more effective care for patients.”
A National Step Forward
Jess’s Rule forms part of the government’s wider commitment to improving early cancer diagnosis, boosting patient safety, and restoring trust in primary care. With waiting lists and demand at record levels, the initiative represents a vital safeguard to ensure persistent symptoms are never ignored.
As Andrea Brady and campaigners have made clear, this change is not just about Jessica’s story – it is about transforming the way the NHS protects all patients, across all communities.
