PHARMACISTS across the north are now able to assess and treat patients for uncomplicated urinary tract infections (UTIs) in women under the age of 65, without the need for a GP appointment, following a successful pilot in north Cumbria.

As part of a major expansion of pharmacy services, the newly-launched Pharmacy First service allows patients to get treatment for seven common conditions such as sinusitis, sore throat, earache, infected insect bite, impetigo, and shingles – in addition to UTIs – without the need to see a GP.

The rollout builds on the successful ‘ByeByeUTI’ pilot scheme across the north east and north Cumbria which saw thousands of women receive faster and easier access to advice and treatment for urinary tract infections.

Since the pilot scheme began in July 2022, more than 30,000 women have been treated for uncomplicated urinary tract infections at local pharmacies, giving them more choice in where and how they access care whilst also freeing up tens of thousands of GP appointments at the same time.

The scheme is part of the NHS and government’s primary care access recovery plan, which is 'committed to making accessing healthcare easier for millions of people'.

Dr Faisel Baig, medical director for primary care, NHS England North East and Yorkshire said: “Thanks to the huge success of the ‘ByeByeUTI’ campaign in North Cumbria, the rollout of this service across the whole region means that many more women will receive faster and easier access to advice and treatment going forward.

“The expansion of pharmacy services will not only make it easier and more convenient for people to access care, but also help free up more GP appointments every year, so people can get the care they need more quickly.”

A report published recently by the Lancashire and Cumbria Consortium of Local Medical Committees says that the financial pressures faced by GP surgeries in Cumbria is 'alarming’.

GP appointments are more and more difficult to get, and patients are often having to wait weeks to be seen by a GP, the report said.

"The future of general practice, collectively and individually, is at stake here,” said the report.

“If action and serious attention is not given to this pressing issue, there is a very real possibility of mass practice closures and patients finding that access to a GP will worsen significantly."

Schemes like this are designed to take the pressure off already-stretched GPs to free up appointments.