NHS Urinary Tract Infection Test & Treat Consultation

Free NHS Pharmacy First Scotland service

If you think you may have a urinary tract infection (UTI), our pharmacy team may be able to help without you needing to wait for a GP appointment.

Through NHS Pharmacy First Scotland, community pharmacies can provide free assessment, advice, and treatment for uncomplicated lower UTIs in eligible women. This service is designed to make it easier to get help quickly for common conditions and, where appropriate, receive NHS treatment directly from your pharmacist. NHS inform states that Pharmacy First Scotland is available from pharmacies in Scotland that dispense NHS prescriptions, and that pharmacists can provide advice, treatment, or referral where needed.

What is a UTI?

A urinary tract infection is an infection in part of the urinary system, most often the bladder or urethra. Lower UTIs are common, particularly in women, and can cause symptoms such as:

pain or burning when passing urine
needing to pass urine more often than usual
sudden urges to urinate
feeling like you cannot empty your bladder fully
pain or discomfort low in the abdomen
feeling generally unwell, achy, or tired

Many lower UTIs are straightforward to manage, which is why pharmacists in Scotland can now assess eligible patients and, when appropriate, provide treatment through the NHS.

Who can use this service?

This NHS service is intended for women aged 16 to 64 with symptoms of an uncomplicated lower UTI. NHS inform lists UTIs in women as one of the conditions supported under Pharmacy First Scotland, and the national Pharmacy First documentation and PGD materials support treatment for eligible non-pregnant female patients in this age group.

To use the service, you should also be registered with a Scottish GP or living in Scotland, in line with the Pharmacy First Scotland eligibility approach described in national service materials.

Who may need to see a GP or another clinician instead?

This service is not suitable for everyone. You may need to be referred elsewhere if:

you are pregnant
you are under 16 or over 64
you are male
you have diabetes
you have symptoms suggesting a more serious infection, such as:
- fever
- pain in your back or sides
- shivering
- nausea or vomiting
- blood in your urine
- confusion or drowsiness

You may also be advised to see your GP rather than use this pharmacy service if:

you have had 2 or more UTIs in the last 6 months
you have had 3 or more UTIs in the last 12 months
you have had a treated UTI within the last 28 days
your symptoms are severe, unusual, or keep coming back

How the service works

Getting help is simple.

1. Visit your Amiry & Gilbride pharmacy or book an appointment below

In most cases, you can walk in although you might prefer to online booking so that you know you have an appointment.

2. Speak with our pharmacy team

A pharmacist, or a trained member of our pharmacy team, will ask about your symptoms, your medical history, and whether this service is suitable for you. They may invite you into the consultation room if you would prefer to speak in private.

3. Assessment

Where appropriate, our pharmacist may ask for a urine sample and carry out a dipstick test as part of the assessment.

4. Treatment or referral

If you are eligible and our pharmacist assesses the infection as an uncomplicated lower UTI, they may be able to provide an NHS treatment directly. If your symptoms suggest something more complex, we will advise you on the next step or refer you to your GP or another service.

Is there a charge?

No. This is an NHS service, so the consultation is free, and any NHS treatment supplied through the service is also free for eligible patients.

What treatment might be supplied?

If treatment is clinically appropriate, our pharmacist may supply a short course of antibiotics for an uncomplicated lower UTI. Scottish UTI PGD materials support the supply of antibiotics including nitrofurantoin and trimethoprim in appropriate cases, and NHS inform states UTIs are normally treated with a short-term antibiotic course, with many women receiving a 3-day course.

Not every patient with urinary symptoms will need antibiotics. Our pharmacist will assess your symptoms carefully and provide the most appropriate advice or treatment. This is an important part of responsible antibiotic use, helping make sure antibiotics are only used when they are likely to help.

About nitrofurantoin

Nitrofurantoin is a commonly used antibiotic for lower UTIs because it concentrates in the urine, which makes it particularly useful for infections in the bladder. Scottish national PGD materials support its use in eligible patients under Pharmacy First Scotland.

If this treatment is suitable for you, the pharmacist will explain:

how to take it
how long to take it for
possible side effects
when to seek further help

You should always take antibiotics exactly as advised and complete the full course if one is supplied. NHS inform says symptoms usually improve within 3 to 5 days of starting treatment, but you should seek further advice if symptoms do not improve, get worse, or return after treatment.

When to seek urgent help

Please seek urgent medical advice if you have UTI symptoms and:

a high temperature or feel hot and shivery
pain in your back or sides
blood in your urine
vomiting
confusion or unusual drowsiness

These can be signs of a more serious infection, including a kidney infection, and we advise an urgent GP assessment or calling 111 when GP services are closed.

Self-care advice for UTIs

Alongside treatment, it can help to:

stay well hydrated
rest if you are feeling unwell
consider suitable pain relief if needed
avoid delaying going to the toilet
seek further advice if symptoms worsen or keep coming back

Why choose Amiry & Gilbride Pharmacy?

At Amiry & Gilbride Pharmacy, we offer accessible, professional support from an experienced pharmacy team. If you are eligible for the NHS Pharmacy First Scotland UTI pathway, we can provide a quick assessment and, where appropriate, treatment or referral.

That means:

fast access to care
no need to wait for a routine GP appointment for straightforward lower UTI symptoms
private consultation if preferred
free NHS treatment for eligible patients