The heartbroken mother of a young woman who died from a brain tumour after being repeatedly misdiagnosed is spearheading a campaign that could transform patient safety across the NHS.
Anne-Marie Brady is fighting for the introduction of 'Jess's Rule', named after her 27-year-old daughter Jess. The proposed rule would require GPs to automatically refer patients for a second opinion or further investigation if they return with the same symptoms three times within a set period.
A Mother's Unimaginable Loss
Jess Brady, a vibrant teaching assistant from West Sussex, first visited her GP suffering from debilitating headaches, dizziness, and nausea in 2022. Her symptoms were initially dismissed as a viral infection, then later as stress, anxiety, or possible lactose intolerance.
"We kept going back, but we kept getting fobbed off," Anne-Marie recounts, her voice heavy with emotion. "I knew something was seriously wrong with my daughter. As a mother, you have that instinct. But we felt like we weren't being heard."
The Devastating Truth Revealed
After months of suffering, Jess's condition deteriorated rapidly. She was finally admitted to hospital as an emergency case, where a scan revealed a devastating truth: a large, aggressive brain tumour.
"The consultant told us it was one of the largest tumours he had ever seen," Anne-Marie said. "By then, it was inoperable." Jess passed away just weeks later, leaving her family shattered.
What is 'Jess's Rule'?
The proposed 'Jess's Rule' is a simple but powerful patient safety measure. Its key principles are:
- Three-Strike Trigger: If a patient presents with the same unresolved symptoms three times.
- Mandatory Action: The GP practice must automatically facilitate a referral for further investigation.
- Safety Net: Creates a systematic check to prevent serious conditions from being missed.
"This isn't about blaming hardworking GPs," Anne-Marie stresses. "It's about creating a safety net within a system that is under immense pressure. Jess's Rule would give GPs a clear protocol to follow and could save countless lives."
Gaining Momentum for Change
The campaign has already garnered significant support from medical professionals and politicians. A petition calling for the rule's implementation has received tens of thousands of signatures, forcing a parliamentary debate on the issue.
Patient safety advocates argue that such a rule could help diagnose cancers, neurological conditions, and other serious illnesses earlier, dramatically improving survival rates.
Anne-Marie's mission is now her source of strength. "I made a promise to Jess that I would fight for this. If Jess's Rule prevents just one other family from going through our hell, then her death won't have been in vain."
