As promised, here is some more detail about our meeting with members of the Royal College of General Practitioners’ leadership team, including their Chair Professor Kamila Hawthorne, Dr Michael Mulholland and Dr Margaret Ikpoh. As mentioned previously the meeting was also attended by representatives from the Department of Health and Social Care.

It remains surreal and shocking recounting the details of Jess’ case. Those of you who have been following this petition know the complete dereliction of duty Jess experienced at the hands of her GP practice. I think it is even more upsetting witnessing the shock and distress medical professionals exhibit when hearing what happened. 

Of course the pandemic didn’t help. The lack of face-to-face appointments and the convenient diagnosis of Long Covid (despite Jess never testing positive for Covid). It felt important to raise how many GP practices, overstretched and over worked, are still operating a service where in person consultations are few and far between. 

Our meeting was over an hour long but three things Professor Kamila Hawthorne was keen to focus upon were:

1. The fragmented care Jess received. Jess contacted her GP practice on more than 20 occasions in five months and eventually, when desperate, was diagnosed when she paid for a private referral. From the beginning I have campaigned for named GPs ‘not just in principle but in practice’. The team agreed about the importance of joined up care and the importance of going back to one GP overseeing and reviewing a case. 

2. According to the team, Jess’ initial consultation should have raised concerns. GPs need to be reminded to expect the unexpected and to be curious. The argument that cancer is rare in young people is not an acceptable excuse. We discussed ‘the years of lost life’ for young people. In Jess’ case she lost 5 times the number of years a 72 year old would, when considering average life expectancy.

3. There was much discussion about Rapid Diagnostic Centres. This is an investment Simon and I thoroughly support, however we know Jess would never have been referred to one because her GP’s did not consider cancer a possibility. Rapid Diagnostic Centres need to be up and running and widespread across the UK. The general public need to know about them. Perhaps a time should come for patient’s to be able to self-refer?

Jess’ Law was referenced; according to Michael Mulholland  the mantra ‘3 strikes and you’re in’ is well known amongst longstanding GPs. The general thinking is it is a good philosophy but needs an evidence base to prove its efficacy. However, I would say, to a layperson it feels like an obvious solution. 

The intention is to meet again. In the meantime,  Professor Hawthorne will look at current CPD (continuing professional development) options for GPs. It is hoped Simon and I will be brought on board and Jess’ case will be used. 

Thank you, as always, for your support. We remain positive and determined for Jess.