Many of you will have heard the devastating case of Martha Mills reported in the press recently. Martha died after failures to identify and properly treat a case of sepsis. Tomorrow Martha’s parents meet with Steve Barclay. This evening I received a call from the Department of Health and Social Care to say, in a paper given to the Secretary of State for Health, briefing him before the meeting, Jess’ Law and more specifically Jess’ story will be referenced. Although, our calls for change focus upon Primary Care, the parallels are horribly apparent. As you are aware, our campaign for Jess’s Law and the two meetings we have had with Steve Barclay address failures in General Practice. However, we too were met with a wall of hierarchical arrogance in the hospital Jess was treated. On the night she died I begged staff to help her. 

The changes we are calling for, if sanctioned, will not only help cancer patients. These changes will shake up an antiquated system and make the right for second opinions and urgent specialist referrals the norm. 

The unstinting support we receive from you all is inspiring. This evening or tomorrow morning please share this update and make the names of Jess and Martha ones everybody knows. Change must happen. 

Thank you so much for your continued support.