The UK Government has issued a response to a petition calling for mandatory cancer training for all GPs in England. The petition, launched on May 1, 2026 by Natasha Hill, garnered over 10,000 signatures, forcing an official reply. It demanded standardised training on cancer red-flag symptoms, formal assessment, regular revalidation, NHS England regulation, and GMC linkage to improve early diagnosis.
In its response on June 9, the Government stated that it is crucial for GPs to identify cancer symptoms early, highlighting the National Cancer Plan and Jess’s Rule as key initiatives. The Government noted that standards and training for GPs are led by regulatory and professional bodies, and the requests sit outside its direct remit.
Jess’s Rule, introduced in September 2025, is a primary care initiative encouraging GP teams to reconsider a diagnosis if a patient presents three times with the same symptoms. It is named after Jessica Brady, who died from cancer in December 2020 at age 27 after 20 consultations without a diagnosis. The rule uses the tagline 'three strikes and we rethink'.
The Government’s National Cancer Plan for England, published earlier this year, outlines a ten-year strategy to transform cancer outcomes. Its ambition is for three in four people diagnosed with cancer to be cancer-free or living well five years after diagnosis by 2035, up from roughly 60% today. The plan includes support for the Gateway C digital training platform and new digital tools to flag concerning symptoms in general practice.
From 2026, the Government will pilot an incentive encouraging electronic safety netting to increase completion of bowel cancer checks. The response reaffirms the Government’s commitment to improving early diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes for cancer patients of all ages.
