Manx Care Introduces Jess’s Rule, But What Is It?

If you’ve ever left the doctor thinking ‘hmmm… not quite sure about that’, then this one’s for you.

Manx Care is asking all GP practices across the island to adopt something called Jess’s Rule, and while it might sound a bit official, the idea behind it is actually pretty simple.

Basically, if you go to your GP three times with the same problem and it’s still not sorted, it’s time to stop, think again, and take a fresh look.

Jess’s Rule is named after Jessica Brady, who sadly died in 2020 aged just 27 after being diagnosed with stage four cancer.

In the months before that, she had contacted her GP more than 20 times, but her symptoms were put down to other things and she was told she was ‘too young for cancer’.

Her family have since campaigned to make sure others are listened to sooner, and that’s where this rule comes in.

Manx Care says doctors already review diagnoses as part of normal practice, but this is about making it more consistent and making sure no one slips through the cracks.

Dr Chris Stockport, Executive Medical Director at Manx Care, explained it like this: ‘GPs and other primary care professionals already take time to revisit and question diagnoses as part of good day-to-day care. Jess’s Rule simply gives a simple-to-use reminder of that approach and highlights how important it is to listen carefully to patients when symptoms persist or don’t follow the expected course.’

In short: if something doesn’t feel right, keep speaking up.

Patients are being encouraged to go back to their GP if symptoms carry on, get worse, or just don’t make sense, and to be clear about how they’re feeling (even if you feel like you’re repeating yourself… because you probably are).

Health and Social Care Minister Claire Christian said: ‘The voice of the patient, family and caregivers is vitally important… to ensure patients know they can be heard when they need additional support and input.’

You’ll start seeing posters and info popping up in GP surgeries and around the island soon, all explaining how it works.

And it’s not just GPs either, the same thinking applies in hospital, where patients can already ask for a second opinion if needed.

There’s even backup if you’re stuck.

The Manx Care Advice and Liaison Service (MCALS) is there to help with concerns, think of them as the people you call when things just aren’t adding up.

So, the takeaway?

If something’s not right… don’t just leave it.

Say it again. And again. And if needed, a third time.