Overview
- Posters co-designed by the DHSC, NHS England and Jessica Brady’s parents have been distributed to all 6,170 surgeries for display in consultation rooms this week.
- Health Secretary Wes Streeting and NHS England’s national medical director Dr Claire Fuller are sending letters to practices to reinforce the approach.
- The rule advises clinicians to reassess cases after three contacts without a substantiated diagnosis or worsening symptoms, with options to examine in person, seek a second opinion, or order further tests and referrals.
- The Royal College of General Practitioners backs the framework as formalising best practice, with education resources being developed alongside the Jessica Brady CEDAR Trust.
- The initiative follows the 2020 death of 27-year-old Jessica Brady and aligns with research showing 16–24-year-olds are more likely to need three or more GP interactions before a cancer diagnosis, while campaigners press for adoption in devolved nations.