If you’ve ever experienced the frustration of dealing with a urinary tract infection while facing delays in seeing a doctor—whether due to a weekend or the busy cold and flu season—there’s good news: relief is now available!
Pharmacists across New South Wales can treat patients with uncomplicated urinary tract infections from the 1st of June.
Following a 12-month NSW pharmacy trial, pharmacists who have undergone the required training will be able to provide consultations and prescriptions for relevant medications. One thousand pharmacies participated in the trial, and more than 16,000 women benefitted from UTI treatments.
The NSW Government committed $6 million, providing $20 per patient to compensate for pharmacy consultations.
‘The NSW Government is committed to taking pressure off GPs and primary care services and we are constantly evaluating ways we can deliver healthcare more efficiently as well as safely,’ says Minister for Health, Ryan Park. ‘Enabling pharmacists to do more will mean many women will get timely access to the care they need.’
Women who are eligible for treatment at a participating pharmacy must be between the ages of 18-65, have symptoms consistent with an uncomplicated urinary tract infection, and have not had a urinary tract infection in the past, or are at a high risk for complications.
Further full clinical evaluations will continue to assess the NSW trial, looking at women were satisfied with the service, how often antibiotics were given, and how women were guided to other medical services if needed.
‘Women across New South Wales will benefit from easy access to treatment for painful UTIs,’ says Pharmacy Guild of Australia NSW Branch President, David Heffernan. ‘Pharmacists are ready to step up take some of the pressure off of GP clinics and hospitals.’
Pharmacists may soon be able to trat common skin conditions, such as dermatitis or school sores.