Jess's Rule to be advertised in all GP practices in England this week

Posters for Jess's Rule will be displayed in all GP practices across England from this week, asking GPs to rethink a diagnosis after three appointments with no diagnosis; the materials were co-designed with the Brady family and health organisations.

Jess's Rule asks family doctors to think again when a patient has had three appointments for the same symptoms without a diagnosis. The rule is named after Jessica Brady, who died in 2020 after delays in diagnosis. It was introduced in September to reduce missed or late diagnoses and will be promoted in primary care from this week. Key points: - Posters have been distributed to all 6,170 GP practices in England and will be displayed from this week. - The guidance encourages clinicians to seek a second opinion, carry out face-to-face examinations, or order further tests when symptoms persist after three appointments. - GP surgeries will also receive a joint letter from Health Secretary Wes Streeting and NHS England's national medical director Dr Claire Fuller emphasising the initiative. Summary: Officials say the measure is intended to prompt clinicians to challenge initial assumptions and improve detection of serious illness. Immediate steps are poster displays and letters to GP teams; further evaluation or outcomes are undetermined at this time.