As many of you know, I was grateful for the opportunity to speak about Jess and our campaign for Jess’s Law at a National Institute for Health and Care webinar on World Patient Safety Day. This year, the focus was on Improving Diagnosis for Patient Safety. Baroness Gillian Merron, Minister for Patient Safety, Women's Health, and Mental Health, also spoke at this event. I was deeply touched by her kindness and support. At the end of her speech, she said:

“I want to wrap up by paying tribute to patients, their families, and loved ones. Throughout the history of our NHS, they have been at the heart of holding the NHS to account. From those fighting for justice in the infected blood scandal to Andrea Brady's determined and dignified campaign for Jess's Law, to Merope Mills, who campaigned to get Martha's Rule on the books, and many others, I pay tribute to their bravery and tenacity.”

Such an important and welcome endorsement.

Following this conference, the same National Institute produced a research podcast examining diagnosis in primary care. In addition to discussing the importance of truly listening to patients—one of my key messages—Professor Umesh Chauhan said:

“If you have seen the person for a third time or within the system with the same problem, you need to think again because clearly, you can’t assume the initial diagnosis was correct if the symptoms haven’t gone away. So, there have to be triggers to support you to think about it. And part of that is about our training, but also the system—there need to be ways to make you think: *‘Have I got the right diagnosis here?’ ‘Have I gone down the right route?’ ‘Should I be thinking of something else?’”

He is talking about Jess’s Law. Support and understanding of the crucial message, ‘Three strikes and we rethink,’ continues to gain traction among primary care professionals.

Our meeting with the Secretary of State for Health, Wes Streeting, scheduled for the 26th of November, was unfortunately cancelled. However, we have been given a new date of Thursday, the 12th of December. We so hope he, too, is prepared to listen and act. Please, please, continue to share this petition and make your MPs aware of this meeting.

Your contributions and support are invaluable. You are making Jess’s Law possible. You are instrumental in achieving positive change in the future, helping to diagnose cancer earlier. Thank you so much.

We miss Jess—her sparkle and her tinsel. We campaign in her memory, driven by her integrity and determination.