Emma Sinclair, a 30-year-old community nurse from Eastleigh, has been sentenced to 15 months in prison for the neglect and ill-treatment of three teenage cancer patients in her care. The offences occurred on 6 February 2024 while Sinclair was working with children undergoing cancer treatment. In addition to her prison sentence, she received a 10-year restraining order, barring any contact with the victims. Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary described Sinclair’s actions

Former UK Prime Minister David Cameron has urged men to prioritize prostate cancer checks after revealing his own diagnosis last year. He discovered the disease at age 59, encouraged by his wife Samantha following an interview about another man's cancer journey. Now cancer-free, Cameron is using his platform to raise awareness as prostate cancer has become the most common tumour in England, with over 55,000 men diagnosed in 2023—surpassing breast cancer cases. The rise in dia

The DME MAC contractors have issued a finalized Local Coverage Determination (LCD) for urological supplies, effective January 1, 2026. The update integrates revisions based on stakeholder comments and provides an important clarification for patients with spinal cord injury (SCI). According to CMS, documentation of SCI in a patient’s medical record is now sufficient to qualify for sterile catheter kits, without requiring proof of recurrent urinary tract infections. The LCD exp

A new study reports that combining a PSMA-targeted radioligand therapy with stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) significantly delays the worsening of prostate cancer in men with oligorecurrent disease. This stage of prostate cancer occurs when the disease returns years after initial treatment but appears as only a few new lesions. While SBRT is a common treatment option, many patients eventually relapse because of microscopic cancer cells that imaging cannot detect. The add

Abstract Background Closing the toilet lid before flushing is widely recommended to minimize the dispersal of pathogen-laden aerosols. However, an often-overlooked issue is that aerosols can still escape through the air gap between the bowl and seat even when the lid is closed. Methods We conducted a pilot investigation on how the gap height and lid influence droplet and bioaerosol escape in a seated toilet. Three microbes were studied, including one bacterium Escherichia col

St Vincent’s Hospital in Melbourne has sparked controversy after introducing a policy that fast-tracks Indigenous patients in its emergency department by automatically classifying them as “Category Three,” ensuring treatment within 30 minutes. The hospital argues this move aims to close the gap in emergency care outcomes after internal research showed Indigenous patients waited longer than others. However, critics, including Indigenous leader Nyunggai Warren Mundine, have con

New research indicates that nearly 1 in 5 urinary tract infections (UTIs) in Southern California are linked to Escherichia coli  strains originating from food-producing animals, particularly chicken and turkey. Scientists from George Washington University and Kaiser Permanente Southern California analyzed over 5,700 E. coli  isolates from UTI patients and retail meat, using genomic sequencing and models to trace the bacterial origin. They found that 18% of UTIs were caused by

Caring for a bedbound patient, especially one with dementia or in pain, can be challenging and stressful. Many caregivers face resistance when changing briefs, with patients pushing, shouting, or grabbing to prevent care. Nancy from Hospice Care Plan emphasizes the importance of preparation: always explain each step to the patient, use a turn sheet to avoid pulling on their body, and remain calm and reassuring. If the patient shows signs of pain, consult the hospice team or P

Accessible travel and outdoor recreation can offer enriching experiences for individuals with mobility challenges, as demonstrated at the North of North Resort in Ely, Minnesota. The resort features fully accessible cabins with roll-in showers, adjustable sinks, and easy dock access, allowing guests in wheelchairs to enjoy lakeside walks, canoeing, and nature exploration. Visitors navigated challenges such as uneven terrain and heavy equipment, highlighting the importance of

Medicare Advantage (MA) plans are increasingly targeting patients with complex chronic conditions, even as overall plan availability declines. Open enrollment for 2026 has seen a reduction in standard MA offerings in 35 states, with major insurers like Aetna and UnitedHealthcare shrinking their presence and some, such as Ochsner Health Plan and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Vermont, exiting certain markets. Contributing factors include reimbursement changes under the Biden admini

The concept of dying well is evolving in Australia, moving beyond the medicalization of death to embrace family-led and personalized deathcare. Zenith Virago, founder of the Natural Death Care Centre, exemplifies this shift. After personally guiding her friend’s post-mortem care, she has trained thousands of “deathwalkers” to support families in navigating dying, death, and bereavement with practical guidance and emotional presence. Family-led funerals, where loved ones parti

Amazon Pharmacy has launched in-office kiosks to help patients receive their medications immediately after doctor appointments, starting December 2025 in select One Medical locations across Los Angeles. This innovation aims to address a major health care gap—nearly one-third of prescriptions in the U.S. go unfilled, and many patients delay treatment due to the inconvenience of visiting a pharmacy. The kiosks bring the pharmacy directly to the point of care, allowing patients

Physicians treating Medicare patients have seen their real income drop by more than one-third since 2016 due to stagnant reimbursement,...

This study examines the governance of nonprofit hospitals and hospital systems, analyzing both internal mechanisms, such as boards of...

Two U.S. senators, Rick Scott (R-Fla.) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), are demanding that the FDA disclose which foreign drug...

Australia’s hospital and aged care systems are under serious strain, with thousands of seniors stuck in hospitals due to delays in...

Nursing homes often operate under financial pressures that discourage investment in their own clinical services, leading to frequent...

Emergency rooms are increasingly becoming America’s “front door” to healthcare, not only for accidents or life-threatening issues, but...

Frontline aged care workers in Australia are still battling with strict pad rationing, years after the Royal Commission into Aged Care...

Each year, millions of people lose access to safety-net programs simply because they do not complete required administrative steps. To...