It’s the last day for public submissions to an inquiry examining how pharmacists could safely and promptly provide medication for painful urinary tract infections (UTIs).
Currently sufferers have to book an appointment with a GP to get a script. With long GP wait times, this can mean days of pain before a patient can receive effective treatment.
UTIs are very common with 50% of SA women suffering the painful condition and 5% of men.
Queensland allows specially-trained pharmacists to assess patients for uncomplicated UTIs and provide medication on the spot. Under the scheme, if a pharmacist is not convinced a patient has an uncomplicated UTI, the patient is referred to a GP. NSW and Victoria are also assessing the scheme.
An uncomplicated UTI is commonly caused by bacteria in the urethra, bladder and/or kidneys and is often difficult to predict or prevent. The infection causes intense pain during urination, the constant sensation of needing to urinate and discomfort throughout the period of infection.
If untreated, or if treatment is delayed, a UTI can result in hospitalisation for kidney infection or other complications, placing avoidable pressure on our emergency wards.
The SA Parliamentary inquiry will investigate how other jurisdictions are providing safe and timely access to UTI medication through pharmacies and what model might work in SA.
Quotes from Committee Chair Jayne Stinson MP
If you suffer from UTIs this is the last day to tell us your experiences and views. We want to hear from you!
With 50% of South Australian women and 1 in 20 men suffering a painful UTI, we’re keen to hear directly from those who suffer the painful condition.
We’ve made it super easy to tell us your thoughts at bit.ly/UTIInquiry. Contributions can be as long or short as you like, and you can stay anonymous if you wish.
So far we’ve received feedback from sufferers about the long wait to get a doctor’s appointment and the increasing cost to visit a GP. We’ve also heard about the intense pain people suffer as they wait.