College responds to launch of Jess’s Rule

Responding in support of NHS England’s launch of Jess’s Rule, a three strikes and rethink protocol for GPs to consider a less likely diagnosis for patients who repeatedly present, Professor Kamila Hawthorne, Chair of the Royal College of GPs, said:

“No GP will ever want to miss signs of serious illness, such as cancer. Ensuring a timely diagnosis often means better outcomes for patients - but many conditions, including many cancers, are challenging to identify in primary care because the symptoms are often similar to other, less serious and more common conditions. Alternative diagnoses are often more likely, particularly when considering risk factors such as age.

"If a patient repeatedly presents with the same or similar symptoms, but the treatment plan does not seem to be making them better - or their condition is deteriorating - it is best practice to review the diagnosis and consider alternative approaches. We hope that by formalising this with Jess's Rule, it will remind GPs to keep this at the forefront of their minds. The College has also worked with Jess Brady's family and the CEDAR Trust to develop an educational resource for GPs on the early diagnosis of cancer in young adults, based around the principles of Jess's Rule."

Further information

RCGP press office: 0203 188 7659
press@rcgp.org.uk

Notes to editors

The Royal College of General Practitioners is a network of more than 54,000 family doctors working to improve care for patients. We work to encourage and maintain the highest standards of general medical practice and act as the voice of GPs on education, training, research and clinical standards.