A new NHS initiative called Jess’s Rule: Three Strikes and We Rethink has been introduced to improve patient safety and reduce the risk of missed or delayed diagnoses. The rule was created following the tragic case of Jessica Brady, a 27-year-old woman who sadly died in 2020 from advanced cancer. Despite contacting her GP over 20 times with serious symptoms, her illness was only diagnosed at a late stage.
Jess’s Rule is designed to stop situations like this from happening again. It means that if a patient sees their GP three times with the same or worsening symptoms and there is still no clear diagnosis, doctors must take further action. This could include:
- Re-examining the original diagnosis
- Arranging a face-to-face appointment if only phone or online consultations have taken place
- Ordering further tests or scans
- Referring the patient to a specialist
- Seeking a second opinion
This initiative is particularly important for younger patients and those from minority ethnic backgrounds, who can be more likely to face delays in diagnosis. By making it clear that “three strikes” should trigger a fresh look at a patient’s case, Jess’s Rule aims to ensure serious conditions such as cancer are picked up earlier.
For patients, this is a positive step forward in protecting your health. If you have had repeated appointments without answers or improvement, Jess’s Rule provides a new safeguard to make sure your symptoms are not ignored.
At Ellisons, we specialise in medical negligence claims and understand how devastating delayed diagnosis can be. We welcome this change and encourage patients to be persistent when they feel their concerns are not being taken seriously. If you or a loved one have suffered harm as a result of delays in diagnosis, you may be entitled to bring a medical negligence claim.
For expert advice, please contact our team today. We are here to listen, support, and help you explore your legal options.
