New GP safety rule in the UK

WQ.374/2025

WRITTEN QUESTION TO THE MINISTER FOR HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES BY DEPUTY H.L. JEUNE OF ST. JOHN, ST. LAWRENCE AND TRINITY

QUESTION SUBMITTED ON MONDAY 6th OCTOBER 2025

ANSWER TO BE TABLED ON MONDAY 13th OCTOBER 2025

Question

"Further to the introduction of "Jess's Rule" in the UK, which encourages GPs to "reflect, review and rethink" when a patient presents three times with the same symptoms (particularly if those symptoms unexpectedly persist, escalate, or remain unexplained), will the Minister advise whether current GP guidelines in Jersey will be reviewed to include a similar approach and, if not, why not; and will he also explain what measures and resources, if any, it is anticipated would be required to support GPs and the wider healthcare system if such a protocol were adopted locally?"

Answer

Communications were cascaded to all GPs on the day this new patient safety initiative was adopted by the NHS. The principles of Reflect, Review and Rethink that underly Jess's rule are embedded within current GP training, and local contemporary practice strongly reflects and aligns with the values of reflection, re- evaluation and rethinking. The regulated continuous professional development that all local GPs undertake demonstrates a strong commitment to this reflective practice. That said, we are in a unique position here in Jersey, Jersey has a different primary care system compared to the UK. We are fortunate that for most patients they still have that close working partnership with their "usual" GP. Equally these GPs have been trained both in the UK and in Jersey to follow the fundamental process outlined in Jess's law. Feedback from GPs and anecdotal examples show that largely this is already a principle they follow. This continuity of care improves patient's health, many have trusted relationships with their GP, who knows their medical history and can provide personalised care. Evidence for standards in primary care both for clinical conditions and operational practice are collected annually and this reflects high quality evidence-based care.

We do however have work to do to streamline pathways for primary care to refer to secondary care so that patients receive rapid and accurate diagnosis. In collaboration with clinicians from Primary Care and Secondary Care, Health Care Jersey continues to develop these pathways facilitating improved communication and strengthening collaboration regarding the management of investigations and assessment available within the hospital.

In essence, highlighting and promoting this reflective practice, encourages clinicians to continually reassess their decisions and approaches enhancing patient care, maintaining this culture remains a central priority within our primary care workforce.