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Call for Wales to adopt ‘rethink’ rule for doctors
Western Mail
|January 19, 2026
A NEW “three strikes” rule affecting all patients will be promoted in all GP practices across England from next week. England’s introduction of the safety net measure has fuelled calls for its implementation in Wales.
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Health Secretary Jeremy Miles
Jess's Rule calls for family doctors to think again if a patient has had three appointments for their symptoms with no diagnosis.
It is named after 27-year-old Jessica Brady, who contacted her practice 20 times before she passed away in 2020.
It began rolling out in September to prevent avoidable deaths and help medics avoid missing serious illnesses such as cancer. Posters advertising Jess's Rule have now been distributed to all 6,170 GP practices in England to be displayed in consultation rooms.
‘The rule urges GPs to think again when it comes to patients who have had three appointments with no diagnosis, or if symptoms have worsened.
‘They are encouraged to consider a second opinion, see patients face to face for physical examinations, or order more tests.
This story is from the January 19, 2026 edition of Western Mail.
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