The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and NHS England with the support of the Royal College of 
General Practitioners have launched a new initiative 'Jess's Rule' for GPs to reflect, review and rethink a diagnosis if a patient presents with the same symptoms or concerns three times.
"Listening carefully to the patient’s symptoms and concerns remains crucial, recognising they are an expert in their own body. Joint decision-making between the clinician and patient remains key in this process." Letter – Implementation of Jess’s Rule: Three strikes and we rethink, 23rd September 2025
The new initiative has been launched in memory of Jessica Brady who died of cancer in December 2020, after her cancer went undiagnosed despite attending 20 GP appointments.
Many GP practices use 'three strikes and we rethink', Jess's Rule reinforces this by explicitly encouraging clinicians to revisit patient records, challenge initial assumptions and remain alert to subtle warning signs. Jess’s Rule seeks to reduce diagnostic delays, support clinical intuition, and encourage proactive intervention.
View the Jess's Rule webpage for more information.
