Overview: A life interrupted by a delayed diagnosis
A Derby woman, Jessie Mae Lambert, 28, says a series of dismissed symptoms and a lack of timely investigation allowed an incurable brain tumour to go unchecked for months. Her case has become a focal point in the discussion around Jess’s Rule, a new NHS safety initiative urging clinicians to “think again” if a diagnosis remains elusive after multiple visits or if symptoms worsen.
From seizures to diagnosis: the path to discovery
Lambert began experiencing unexplained seizures in October 2023. Initially, her GP attributed the episodes to mental health concerns. After two further appointments, she was referred for hospital tests only in March 2024, following what she describes as persistent advocacy on her own behalf. A Royal Derby Hospital MRI and EEG revealed a brain tumour measuring about 4 cm by 3 cm. In her words, the journey felt like a long wait for answers.
What happened at the GP visits
Lambert recounts having seizures up to seven times daily, including an episode in front of her mother that underscored the seriousness of her condition. She says the feedback from her GP repeatedly urged her to “meditate,” adjust her diet, and rest—reactions she felt dismissed the as-yet-unidentified physical cause. She describes being told to “get your story straight” when she insisted the episodes were seizures and not panic attacks.
The role of persistence and what came next
Following a third appointment, Lambert finally secured a referral for imaging. The MRI and EEG confirmed a brain tumour. She emphasizes that it took seven months from the initial symptoms to a formal diagnosis—a period she believes was far too long for someone her age. Lambert notes that even after the referral, some clinicians appeared to doubt the severity of her symptoms, a sentiment she hopes Jess’s Rule will address across the NHS.
The treatment journey and current status
Lambert underwent a six-hour operation to remove about 40% of the tumour, followed by six weeks of radiotherapy. In September 2024 she was diagnosed with a grade 2 astrocytoma, generally considered a slower-growing brain tumour. Regular brain scans every three months remain part of her ongoing care to monitor growth or shrinkage. A recent scan suggested the tumour had shrunk, which brings a measure of relief amid ongoing treatment and checkups.
Jess’s Rule: a call for earlier consideration and action
Jess’s Rule has been introduced as a safety initiative for NHS clinicians. It advocates pausing to reassess when a patient presents with persistent symptoms across multiple visits or when diagnoses remain unclear. Lambert welcomes the policy, acknowledging that while it’s difficult to know whether earlier intervention would have changed her outcome, a more responsive approach is essential to protect other young people from similar experiences.
Public response and potential impact
Lambert’s story has drawn attention to how cognitive biases and time pressures within primary care can lead to misdiagnosis or delayed treatment. The spokesperson for Macklin Street Surgery declined to comment on individual cases but encouraged Lambert to raise concerns directly so the practice could review its processes. The broader NHS community sees Jess’s Rule as a practical measure to improve diagnostic accuracy, reduce avoidable harm, and ensure younger patients are taken seriously when presenting potentially serious symptoms.
A message to other families and patients
Lambert has expressed gratitude for the support she received from her family and the wider community. She also notes the emotional impact of the journey, including reaching out to Jess’s mother via social media to express thanks for the work that led to Jess’s Rule. Her experience underscores the need for compassionate, evidence-based care that prioritises timely investigations when symptoms persist, regardless of age.
Conclusion: A step toward better care
While the outcome for Lambert’s condition is ongoing, her story highlights a crucial shift toward earlier consideration of serious conditions in young people. Jess’s Rule aims to prevent the kind of delay she endured, ensuring that medical professionals re-evaluate persistent symptoms with diligence and care. As Lambert herself succinctly puts it, young people deserve to have their concerns taken seriously from the outset.
