NHS Lincolnshire ICB has partnered with Healthy.io and Lincolnshire Co-Op pharmacies to deliver a pharmacy-led test and treat service for uncomplicated urinary tract infection (UTI). Rather than accessing primary or urgent care services, eligible women can attend their local Co-op pharmacy and are provided with a Minuteful UTI test kit to self-test their urine with the aid of their smartphone. This ensures accurate self-testing, enabling the pharmacist to interpret results, provide advice and/or prescribe a supply of antibiotics via PGD if appropriate. The service has been welcomed by patients and pharmacists and is helping to support the ICB's antimicrobial stewardship ambitions.
Increasing access to appropriate pharmacy-led services is a priority for the ICB to relieve pressure on primary and urgent care services and improve speed of access for patients. As UTIs account for 3-10% of all GP appointments and 1-2 % of all urgent care services at the local trust, we identified that a pharmacy-led service for the testing and treatment of UTI could have a significant impact for the system.
Since introducing the new service on 6th September 2021, 1,216 women in Lincolnshire have accessed the service at their community pharmacy and have been provided with a free digital Minuteful UTI test kit to date. Whilst 30% (364 patients) accessed the service following a referral from the GP, a further 50% of women who accessed the service have told us that they would have otherwise sought help from their local walk-in centre or accident & emergency (A&E).
The pharmacy-led service has resulted in:
· 51% of women (618 patients) accessing the service tested positive and received antibiotics in a timely manner.
· £4.3k worth of prescribing cost savings through prevention of inappropriate antibiotic use for UTIs.
· 182.4 hours released in General Practice Appointments.
· £23k worth of cost savings based on GP appointments released.
