For decades, Juliette Burton felt her symptoms were brushed aside by medical professionals. Her story, a stark illustration of what many call medical misogyny, highlights a systemic issue within UK healthcare. Now, a new initiative named Jess's Rule is being rolled out nationwide, aiming to ensure patients are heard much sooner.
A Lifetime of Being Dismissed
Juliette's medical history is complex. From the age of nine, symptoms of OCD, anxiety, and depression were dismissed as a 'phase'. Over the next 30 years, she navigated multiple mental health conditions including bulimia, anorexia, and complex PTSD, alongside chronic physical pain. Time and again, doctors attributed her physical ailments to her mental health.
"I felt as though I was viewed as an attention seeker – in reality, I was crying out for help," she recalls. This repeated dismissal led her to internalise the misogynistic idea not to 'be a burden'. She stopped visiting her GP, which further impacted her health and delayed treatment.
The Turning Point: An Advocate's Voice
The pattern continued into 2024, when a full-body rash led her to A&E. An A&E doctor suggested she try being 'less stressed'. It was only when her boyfriend, Adam, intervened that the response changed. "She's in a lot of pain and needs help," he stated clearly. Immediately, the doctor listened and prescribed strong painkillers.
"Why had it taken Adam's advocacy for doctors to respond?" Juliette wondered. "It was the clearest case I'd ever experienced of medical misogyny." This incident is not isolated. Research reveals the UK has the highest gender health gap in the G20, with 60% of women believing their health issues are not taken seriously.
What is Jess's Rule?
This week, a potential solution arrives in GP practices across the country. Jess's Rule is named after Jessica Brady, a 27-year-old who contacted her surgery 20 times before dying of cancer in 2020. The rule, promoted via new surgery posters, urges a change in protocol when diagnosis proves elusive.
The key principles are clear:
- If a patient has had three appointments for the same symptoms without a diagnosis, doctors should order more tests.
- Clinicians should feel comfortable asking for a second opinion if unsure.
- They should provide a face-to-face examination where appropriate.
"These posters could have helped me trust my instincts much earlier," Juliette reflects. "They legitimise the idea that repeated uncertainty isn't something patients should simply accept."
A Glimmer of Hope and a Call to Action
In February 2025, after moving and seeing new doctors, Juliette's experience finally shifted. A new specialist, acting on a hunch, started her on prescription medication immediately. The results were transformative, easing her constant, debilitating illnesses.
While she still lacks a formal diagnosis, she knows 'stress' wasn't the cause. The new medication has helped even during stressful periods. Her story underscores why Jess's Rule matters: it prioritises patient outcomes over labels, allowing care to begin even during ongoing diagnostics.
"Every single person, of any gender, should be listened to when it comes to their health," Juliette asserts. "We will not stand for being dismissed anymore." The rollout of Jess's Rule represents a crucial step in closing the UK's devastating gender health gap and ensuring all patients receive the timely, believing care they deserve.
